Marlain Bruflodt

Marlain Joyce Bruflodt, "Miss B" to all who knew her, was born on October 28, 1924 in Princeton, Minnesota, the daughter of John and Minnie (Teutz) Bruflodt. She graduated in 1942 from Milaca, MN high school and enrolled at Bemidji State University where she received a double major in English and Physical Education. Following graduation, she taught in the Thief River Falls school system for one year prior to moving to Rochester, New York to teach at the YWCA. In New York, Miss B had the privilege to play golf with Babe Didriksen Zaharias, one of America's greatest women athletes. Marlain returned to Minnesota where she received her Masters of Education degree at the University of Minnesota and accepted a teaching position in the Physical Education Department of Stanford University in Palo Alto, California. It was at Stanford that Miss B had Mickey Wright as a student in her class. Ms. Wright was ranked as the 9th greatest golfer of all time and the top woman golfer of all time by Golf Digest magazine. In 1954 Miss B began her career in the Alexandria education system and continued until her retirement in 1986 except for the two years she served as Director of Education at Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park, MN. Having a passion for reading, she studied for her Master of Science degree at St. Cloud State University and began the Developmental Reading Program in Alexandria?s District 206. She firmly believed in and enjoyed the ?Developmental Approach? to reading by taking a student from where ever they were to reaching the fullest extent of their capacity. Miss ?B? had a gift for treating each student as though they were her only student. Marlain was honored as Alexandria?s Teacher of the Year and a Minnesota ?Teacher of Excellence?. She was truly one of the educators that made a difference in the Alexandria school system. In addition to being an outstanding educator, Miss B was also a superb athlete and a trailblazer for current women?s athletic competition. In the 1960s and 1970s she was a champion for getting girls athletic events promoted to the varsity level of competition. As an athlete herself, she was outstanding and played in the Women's Softball World Series and had the opportunity to play for the Racine Belles of the All-American Women's Professional Baseball League (made famous by the movie, " A League of Their Own") during World War II. During her tenure in District 206, she coached girls? basketball, volleyball, track and tennis. Miss B had a dream to coach boys? football but had to settle for becoming an avid Vikings fan. She also enjoyed bowling, horseback riding, camping, fishing and snowmobiling. Marlain Bruflodt died on March 11, 2008 from lung cancer, at the age of 83 years. She is survived by her brother Curtis Bruflodt of St. Cloud, MN, Sisters-in-law Dorothy Bruflodt of Milaca, MN and Victoria Bruflodt of New Jersey, and an aunt, Dorothy Johnson of Milaca. She is also survived by a niece Mary Jo (Chuck) Schmidt, and nephews Mark (Norma) Bruflodt, Marshall (Jackie) Bruflodt, and James Bruflodt; cousins and grand- nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her closest friend of nearly 50 years, Marilyn Mesna. Marlain was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Gerald ?Dudy? Bruflodt, and Robert Bruflodt and nephews Michael Bruflodt and Steven Bruflodt. Memorial Services will be held on Friday, March 28, 2008, at 4:00 p.m. from the Anderson Funeral Chapel in Alexandria, Minnesota, with Rev. Ron Otterson officiating. Joe Capistrant and Jennie Hevern will offer eulogies, music will be provided by Annetta Knowles, Randy Morken and William Riggs and expressions of Thanksgiving will be offered by Rev. Nancy Larson. Serving as Honoarary Pallbeares are Marilyn Mesna, Nancy Larson, Jennie Hevern, Monty Hevern, Joe Capistrant, Linda Capistrant, Pat McCarty, Bev Grossman, Sue Schmidt, Lori Hawkinson, Yvonne Maki, Bob Wallgren, Harland Angen, Violet Angen, Steve Hanzlik, Gayle Hanzlik and all former teaching colleagues and students. Memorials are preferred to Hospice, Dolly Parton Books for Kids, or First Lutheran Church Parish Health. Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria.