The community of Stewartville, Minnesota, will gather to honor the life of Marilu Mullenbach with a Mass of Christian Burial scheduled for 11:00 A.M. on January 27, 2026. The service will take place at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church and will be officiated by Rev. Kevin Connolly. Following the mass, burial will occur at the church cemetery.
Marilu Mullenbach, aged 83, passed away on January 15, 2026, from natural causes at New Perspective Assisted Living in Prior Lake, Minnesota, where she had lived since 2020. Her death marks the end of a life devoted to family and community, with deep roots in the area.
Born Mary Louise Prehatney on August 8, 1942, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Marilu was the daughter of John and Celeste (Kiefer) Prehatney. She spent her formative years in Austin, Minnesota, where she graduated from Austin Pacelli High School in 1960. Following high school, she worked at Thorpe Financial in Rochester for several years before embarking on her most cherished role as a mother.
Marilu married Melvin G. Mullenbach on September 19, 1964, at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church in Austin. The couple initially settled in Rochester and later moved to rural Racine, where they raised their five children. Melvin worked at IBM in Rochester for many years until his retirement. Marilu dedicated herself to her family, becoming a stay-at-home mother and actively participating in community activities.
In 2020, Marilu and Melvin relocated to Prior Lake to be closer to their children. Melvin passed away on January 8, 2022, leaving Marilu to continue her legacy of family and community involvement until her own passing.
Marilu was a dedicated member of St. Bernard’s Catholic Church and the Stewartville American Legion Post 164 Auxiliary. Her passions included golf, downhill skiing, gardening, and canning. She was an avid supporter of the Minnesota Twins and the Minnesota Vikings. Friends and family fondly remember her love for socializing and her enthusiasm for attending her children’s, grandchildren’s, and great-grandchildren’s school and sporting events.
She is survived by one daughter, Monica Gay of North Branch, Minnesota, and four sons: Matthew Mullenbach of Victor, Idaho; Mitchell Mullenbach of Apache Junction, Arizona; Martin Mullenbach of Grand Forks, North Dakota; and Marshall Mullenbach of Prior Lake, Minnesota. Marilu also leaves behind eight grandchildren: Sam Gay, Amanda (Blake) Innes, Joe Gay, Alyssa Mullenbach, Allanah Mullenbach, Matthew Mullenbach Jr., Manni Mullenbach, and Myah Mullenbach, along with a great-granddaughter, Reyna. She is also survived by her sister, Barb (Hugh) Duren of Arlington Heights, Illinois, and many nieces and nephews.
A time of visitation for family and friends will be held from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM on January 27, 2026, at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church. Funeral arrangements are being managed by Griffin-Gray Funeral Home in Stewartville. Those wishing to share condolences or memories of Marilu are encouraged to visit her memorial page at www.griffin-gray.com.
