Marilee Ann Lasch
With heavy hearts we share the passing of our incredibly artistic and beloved mother, Marilee (Lowe) Lasch of Superior and the Greater Phoenix/Metro area on Monday, March 17, 2025, at the age of 80 years old, after a courageous battle with cancer and illness.
She was preceded in death by both of her parents, Sam and Nellie; brothers: Sam, Dick, Jim and Leo and her grandson, Jackson.
Marilee is survived by her four children: Lisa (Scott) Curfman, Scott (Jessica) Lasch, Todd (Selena) Lasch and John Lasch; 12 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; sister, Darleen Schutliz; brother, Thomas Lowe and friend, Merrilee Kinney.
Marilee was born in Jamestown, ND on August 31, 1944 to Sam and Nellie (Ableidinger) Lasch. She attended St. John’s Academy at which she was a cheerleader. After graduation, she attended Jamestown College. Although never having played softball, she won the “Fastest Softball Pitch Contest.” Marilee held the college record for many years. She also won “Miss Congeniality” in the Jamestown North Dakota Beauty Pageant. She met her future husband, Jeffrey Lasch, in college and they married on September 4, 1965. Their first child, Lisa, was born in Jamestown.
Their small family moved to Lordsburg, NM, where Marilee was a substitute teacher. They transferred to South St. Paul, MN where Scott was born. In 1974, the same year their son Todd was born, Jeffrey was again transferred, this time to Great Falls, MT. John was born in 1978.
It was in Montana that Marilee found her love of Glacier National Park. She became very involved with St. Luke’s Church, where she was the designer for all the holiday events. Marilee was also active in liturgical dancing and sewing for the church. One of her biggest accomplishments there was her button campaign to bring the hostages home during the Iranian Crisis. She also had the largest garden in her whole neighborhood.
After divorcing in 1987, she moved with Todd and John to Phoenix and discovered her passion for art and Arizona scenery. She enrolled in many art classes in all disciplines. This love eventually led her to Superior, where she created a glorious home and art studio, in which she taught her own art classes, Marilee told her students “Everyone has an artist in them.” Later in life, she received a Storytelling Certificate and won every Story Slam contest she entered.
Marilee had a tremendous love of nature, Glacier National Park; and, of course, Neil Diamond. She always wanted everyone to know that she was probably out “Kissing the Joy as it Flies.” Now, the Joy shall be kissing her.
Marilee’s “Celebration of Life” will be held at the home of Todd and Selena Lasch, located at 5747 W. Campo Bello Drive in Glendale (85308) on Saturday, April 12. from 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. Please come and celebrate Marilee with us.