Marilyn Christenson Wayland passed away peacefully on September 23rd at her home on Camano Island. She was 83 years old.

Marilyn was born in Fargo, North Dakota on November 20, 1940 to Emil and Eleanor Gerbing. She spent her early childhood days growing up in Barnesville, Minnesota. When she was thirteen years old she moved to the University District of Seattle with her parents and four siblings, Barbara, Suzanne, Marlys (her twin) and Doug.

She was a graduate of Lincoln High School class of 1958. Following her high school graduation, she met her husband Gordon Christenson and they married on August 14, 1959. They made their first home in Ballard, Washington and in 1963 they welcomed a son, Keith. After moving to Edmonds, they welcomed their daughter Cathy, born in 1967. They then moved to Monroe where their son, Chris (Gordon Jr.) was born in 1969.

In 1973 they moved to Camano Island. There they began attending Camano Chapel and in 1976 Marilyn began working there as Pastor Bill Wayland's first secretary. After Bill's retirement in 1996 she continued on to work for Pastor Kris Kramer until 2010. Marilyn worked a total of 36 years at the chapel.

In 1993 Marilyn and Gordon moved to Whatcom County. Gordon passed away in 2000 and Marilyn continued to live there until her marriage to Bill Wayland in 2011.

Marilyn joined Bill in the ministry of Peacehaven, helping to support and encourage pastors, missionaries and their families. One of her greatest joys was using her administrative skills to help organize and host conferences for retired Village Missionaries in Cannon Beach, Oregon, Branson, Missouri, New York and Canada. She loved caring for the homes of Peacehaven and Rest Haven, spending time decorating and working with the flowers and grounds.

Bill and Marilyn loved to travel and were often able to include ministry to pastors and wives as they traveled to all 48 states. Some of her favorite visits included the Billy Graham Museum in North Carolina and the world's largest Christmas store in Michigan.

Marilyn deeply loved her friends and always made spending time with them a priority. Even up  until her death she regularly hosted a gathering of friends for her bi-weekly Bible Study. She always looked forward to getting together with them for fun and fellowship. She also deeply loved her kids, grandkids and extended family and spent hours each week praying for them.

Marilyn is survived by her husband, Bill Wayland; a sister, Suzanne (Ron) Cancilla; a brother, Doug (Sue) Gerbing; her children, Keith (Leslie) Christenson, Cathy (George) Nygard, Gordon (Chris) Christenson Jr., five grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

Marilyn's memorial service will be held at Camano Chapel, October 12th at 11:00 a.m.