Marilou passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at the age of 86. She fought a rough road with learning of her aggressive diagnosis of Leukemic Mantle Cell Lymphoma and passed away with dignity. She told family members she loved them and she "lived a good life." Mari was born on June 7, 1939, in Rice Lake, Wisconsin to Baron Paul Adolf and Cecile Alexandria von Kleist. Her father Paul was working for the CCC camps at the time. When she was 2.5 years old, her father moved them to San Francisco, CA. Mari graduated from Lincoln High School and later went on to get her degree from the San Francsico State College as an elementary school teacher. Mari later met her husband, John FW Minke III, at a ski resort on January 1, 1962, and was married just six months later on, June 23, 1962.

Mari and John settled in Carmichael, CA. After getting married, they were blessed with 4 children: Margaret "Peggi", Randall "Randy", Kristina "Kristi" and Rachel. Mari enjoyed raising her family and staying home. She was a member of Carmichael Presbyterian Church. Her nurturing nature further showed up as she helped raise some of her grandkids. Mari also had a second career managing her daughter Rachel's singing career when Rachel was a singer. She was always keeping busy!

Mari and John became avid cruise ship travelers after retirement. They traveled all over the world. They truly enjoyed traveling and only stopped when it was too difficult for John to travel. Mari and John lived in Carmichael until 2009. That same year, they sold their family home, packed up their life and moved to Homer, Alaska! There they built a beautiful home together that both enjoyed up until the passing of John in 2022.

Due to Mari's health and needing treatment for her leukemia, Mari then made the move back to Wisconsin, her birthplace, to be closer to her daughter Rachel and to get medical care that she needed. Mari did well with her treatment for her leukemia and was often told often she was doing great. Since Mari was a widow, it was God's plan now for her to come home to Jesus and be with John.

Marilou was preceded in death by her husband John, her grandson Jacob "Kobi" Bernhardt, her mother, Cecile von Kleist and father, Paul von Kleist.

She is survived by her children: Margaret (Stacey) Jones, Randall (Nanet) Minke, Kristi Cantrell and Rachel (Thomas) Bernhardt; grandchildren: Logan Minke, Randy Jr Minke, Jeneka Cowell, Alexander Essex, Drusillah Bernhardt, Morgan Bernhardt, Paul Minke, and Christabelle Minke as well as numerous great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers or cards, Mari's final wish was for those to make a donation in her memory to the American Cancer Society.