Marie Jane (Peterson) Watrin of Sandstone, MN passed away peacefully in her sleep on Friday, May 31, 2024, after a brave battle with cancer. She was 73 years old.

Marie was born in Watertown, South Dakota on August 11, 1950, to Maxine (Cypher) and Hiram Peterson. At a young age, Marie moved to Columbia Heights MN where she attended Silver Lake Elementary. She then attended school in Grasston and Braham where she graduated from high school in 1968. After high school, she attended cosmetology school in Willmar. Marie worked at the Cambridge State Hospital and Sears & Roebucks catalog store in Sandstone. Most of her career was spent working with clients in group home settings in Sandstone and Lino Lakes; she was gifted in working with people with disabilities.

Marie and George met in 1970 at Happy's Dance Hall. They married in 1973 at St. Luke's Catholic Church. They wanted a large family and fortunately, Marie was gifted with genes to produce multiple multiples. Throughout their marriage, they stayed committed to their vows; for better or worse, in sickness and health, and until death do us part. Marriage Encounter was a source of strength and renewal in their marriage. Marie and George were married for thirty-five years.

Marie was a talented crafter and cake decorator. Over the years, she gifted many hand-curated presents to friends and family and she made cakes for each of her seven children's birthdays. She also cross-stitched birth announcements for each of her twenty-one grandchildren. She taught her children to sew, cook, garden, and work hard.

Her grandchildren affectionately called her Candy Grandma as she had an ever-ready supply of sweets in her candy barn. From a young age, the grandchildren quickly learned to pay grandma in 'hugs' to receive a piece of candy. The grandkids also looked forward to shaking a wrapped box of candy for their birthdays and then guessing what type of sweetness was inside the package.

Marie was a stoic woman who persevered through many hardships and challenges in her life. As a devout Catholic, she sought forgiveness and forgave. She wanted nothing more than for her family to love and treasure each other and to believe in God.

Marie will be lovingly remembered by her children: Troy Watrin (Jennifer Mattson) of Rush City, Tracy Watrin of Moose Lake, Jennifer Zenor of Duluth, Matthew (Shanna) Watrin of Askov,  John (Jamie) Watrin of St. Cloud,  Mark (Shannon) Watrin of Sandstone, Justin (JoAnne) Watrin of Sandstone, twenty-one grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, her sister Darlene (Ted) Koskela of McGregor, brother John Peterson of Mora, and brother Harvey (Georgia) Peterson of Thief River Falls, twenty-nine nieces & nephews, treasured life long friends, cousins, and colleagues.

Marie is preceded in death by her husband George Watrin, her mother and father Maxine and Hiram Peterson, her brother Davis Cypher, her son-in-law George Zenor, mother and father-in-law Mary and Clifford Watrin Sr., brother-in-law Cliffard Watrin Jr, sister-in-law Elaine Kuhlman, and brother-in-law George Haberman.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 am on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at St. Luke's Catholic Church in Sandstone, MN. Visitation will take place on Monday, June 3, 2024, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. with Rosary starting at 7 p.m. at the Methven Funeral Home chapel and one hour before the service on Tuesday at the church. Burial will be at Spring Park Cemetery following the service.

Marie held a special place in her heart for her grandson Richard. Richard received extraordinary care at the Children's Hospital when he was born in 2013. Donations in memory of Marie may be made to Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Upper Midwest, MN Children's Hospital Location, 621 Oak Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414.

Arrangements by Methven Funeral and Cremation Services of Sandstone, MN.