Marilyn A. Cottrell, 73, of Holmen passed away Thursday, October 22, 2020 at home.  She was surrounded in love by family and friends during her final days. She was born on March 9, 1947 in La Crosse to Armand and Geraldine Eggen.  Marilyn grew up on La Crosse's Northside and proudly graduated from Logan High School in 1965.  Shortly after graduation, she married her soulmate, best friend and love of her life, Kent.  This past July, the inseparable couple celebrated their fifty-five-year love story.  The couple loved to travel the country and accomplished their goal of visiting all fifty states.  The past several winters have been spent with their "snowbird friends" at their home at the Polynsian Village in Florida. Marilyn's career included many years working at the Holmen High School.  She also started the Lindy's Subs in Onalaska with her daughter and spent many years working with her entire family.  Family was the most important thing in this world to Marilyn.  When she was blessed with her first grandchild, she knew it was time to retire to spend as much time as she could being Grandma. Marilyn was a woman of great faith and spent many hours volunteering at her church.  She was a longtime member of the Holmen Lutheran Church. Over the past several years, Marilyn underwent and met challenges that would test any person.  She amazingly maintained a positive attitude and rarely complained about the physical and mental burdens that she bore.  Never lost was her sense of humor, love of music and love of family.  On a bright sunny day, as we look at the billowing clouds, she will be there.  These beautiful words, from a dear friend, give us such comfort.  We each have a piece of her in our hearts now, and we are honored to have been loved by such an incredible and unselfish woman. Survivors include her "hubby", Kent; three children, Deanna (Mike) Wolf, Shari (John) Cavadini and Bryan (Melissa) Cottrell; three grandchildren, Gibson, Beckett and Piper Cottrell; one brother, Armand (Sharon) Eggen; sister-in-law, Linda (Steve) Sanders; brothers-in-law, Gene (Caryl) Cottrell and Bob Cottrell; as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins. The family would like to thank Joni Hayes for her kindness in assisting the family in the loving care of Marilyn.  A special thank you to Pastor Matt Toso for your visits and the kind friends that have reached out to our family during her time in hospice. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 27, 2020 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Dickinson Family Funeral Home & Crematory, 515 McHugh Road, Holmen. Face masks will be mandatory and social distancing guidelines will be in effect.  The family asks the elderly and most vulnerable to come early.  A private family graveside service will be held at Oak Grove Cemetery, La Crosse the following day. Memorials may be directed to Holmen Lutheran Church or the Alzheimer's Association. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.dickinsonfuneralhomes.com