Marlys Stevens

Marlys Taxdahl Stevens, age 84, of Cannon Falls, died Tuesday morning, January 21, 2025 at Three Links Nursing Home in Northfield, Minnesota. Marlys was born on April 29, 1940 in Faribault, Minnesota, the daughter of Gene and Margaret (Sorum) Taxdahl of Cannon Falls, Minnesota. She graduated from Cannon Falls High School in 1958 and went on to Mankato State and almost completed her senior year in 1963, but went blind from diabetes. She went back to school to become an Xray Technician and worked at the University of Minnesota Dental School. Marlys married Roger Stevens, who worked at Honeywell, on July 26,1970 at Urland Lutheran Church. They lived in Minneapolis for the next 3 years until moving to Cannon Falls, where Marlys was raised. They lived for many years on 2 acres in the country until moving to Cannon Falls in 2008. Roger died on February 4, 2015 at Diamond Rehab and Living of Cannon Valley.

Marlys went totally blind at Mankato State in her senior year with one quarter left to graduation. Marlys went to Minneapolis School for the Blind, soon after Mankato State, to learn how to read braille, type braille and use a white cane for mobility. Learning braille opened her world to reading by feel. Marlys was always optimistic and wanted to conquer any challenge. She did not let her blindness slow her down. In 1968, She went to New Jersey to get her first seeing eye dog Collett, from Seeing Eye for the Blind. She had 7 seeing eye dogs over the years. They were Collett 1968, Trina 1980, Patty 1989, Naomi 1997, Alvin 2005, Lipton 2010, and Mike 2019 that were excellent and loving dogs. They were her children. She received an award from Seeing Eye for the Blind for having their dogs for more than 50 years.

Marlys was very active in the community by going to Cannon Falls Schools, Lions Clubs, and other community organizations to tell her life story and introduce her dog. She and Roger spent each summer raising a large organic garden. They enjoyed camping in their camper at local campgrounds, especially enjoying Frontenac State Park and Shades of Sherwood.

Marlys and Roger taught Sunday School and Bible Study at Urland Lutheran Church and was involved in Big Brothers and Big Sisters. Marlys was on the Wangen Prairie Church Council, and on the Board of Directors for the Lutheran Braille Evangelism Association.

Preceding her in death are her loving husband Roger, her parents, and her nephew Darren Anderson. She is survived by her sister Donna (Dean) Anderson of Cannon Falls, MN and brother Gary (Diane) Taxdahl of Turtle Lake, WI. Many nieces and nephews, grand nieces and nephews, and great-grand nieces and nephew.

Memorials may be given to the Lutheran Braille Evangelism Association, Seeing Eye Incorporated, or the Helping Hands ministry of Wangen Prairie Lutheran Church.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am, Monday, Jan 27, 2025, at Urland Lutheran Church, 6940 County 9 Blvd, Cannon Falls, MN 55009. Visitation will be from 1:00 - 4:00 pm, Sunday, January 26, at Lundberg Funeral Home, 5839 Hwy 19 Blvd, Cannon Falls, MN 55009. The visitation will continue one hour prior to the funeral service at the church on Monday. Interment will be in the Urland Lutheran Church Cemetery.