Mariann Caroline (Setterberg) Dickinson

Lovingly remembered, Mariann Caroline (Setterberg) Dickinson peacefully passed away on March 22, 2024, in Bemidji, Minnesota, at the age of 94.

Born on January 20, 1930, in Forest City, Minnesota, Mariann was one of five children born to Walter and Signe Setterberg.

Her childhood home was in Cokato, Minnesota where she attended school, graduating in the class of 1948. After taking a year off to travel with her parents, she attended the University of Minnesota, graduating with a degree in Spanish.

Mariann met her future husband, Earle Dickinson, of Bemidji, on a blind date set up by a Chi Omega sorority sister. After graduation, she worked as a Spanish translator for International Milling Company.

They were engaged in 1955, after Earle returned from serving in the Korean War.

Earle and Mariann were married on June 23, 1956, at Elim Covenant Church in Cokato. They honeymooned in Banff, Lake Louise, and Glacier National Park, then established their home in Bemidji.

Together, Earle and Mariann became the parents of five children — Dianne, Suzanne, James, Elizabeth, and John. Mariann was a homemaker who enjoyed photography, swimming, working with flowers, skiing, and traveling the world. From parasailing in Mexico to running with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain, her life was full of adventure.

Mariann attended Elim Covenant Church, Cokato; First Presbyterian Church of Bemidji, Cornerstone Community Church, at Buena Vista and Bemidji’s Evangelical Covenant Church.

Mariann was a member of the PEO Chapter AT organization. The Chapter considers her a Golden Girl with over 50 years.

From the 1950s onward, Mariann worked at Buena Vista Ski Area in tickets, marketing, photography, editing brochures, and later lovingly cared for her grandchildren. Mariann was always involved with events at Buena Vista, including tour groups, Fall Festival, and music events.

Mariann and Earle lived in Bemidji, on Cedar Lane, before building a new home overlooking Lake Julia in 1969. In recent years, she was a resident of Colleen's Caring Hands with the loving care from their wonderful staff.

Mariann is remembered for being 100 percent Swedish, for drinking dark-roasted coffee any time of day, and for her love of family. She was known for her hospitality, her kind heart, her classic style; her quiet presence, beauty, poise, and generosity. Mariann enjoyed the outdoors: jogging, skiing, and swimming as soon as the ice was off Lake Julia. Always fashionable, Mariann loved shopping.

Mariann is survived by her children: Dianne (Steve) Hoffbeck; Suzanne (Don) Thomas; James Dickinson; Elizabeth (Tom) Letson; John (Laurie) Dickinson; 15 grandchildren; Leah (Jacob) Tennefos; Katie (Erik) Dilbeck; Mary Hoffbeck; John W. Hoffbeck; Laurie (Jeff) Schaper; Lisa Thomas; Michelle (Justin) Thomas Moravec; Sarah Thomas; Rebecca Dickinson; Olivia Dickinson; Jacob (Dana) Letson; Donald (Morgan) Letson; Dylan Dickinson; Gavyn Dickinson; Shayn Dickinson; 11 great-grandchildren; Andrew Tennefos; Samuel Tennefos; Maia Dilbeck; Noah Dilbeck; Shai Dilbeck; Aria Dilbeck; Lily Schaper; Riley Russell; Paisley House-Thomas; Avery Haas; Dean Letson; with one new baby on the way (for Jake and Dana Letson); sister, Betty Barnes; three sisters-in-law, Lois Cann, Muffy Dickinson, and Donna Dickinson.

She was preceded in death by her husband Earle; her parents; stepmother Thea; in-laws Leonard and Agnes Dickinson; brothers Irving, Wendell and Roger; brothers-in-law Richard Dickinson, Douglas Cann, and David Barnes; sisters-in-law Mary, Lois, and Shirley Setterberg.

Funeral services are at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, April 4th at Bemidji Evangelical Covenant Church. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery. Visitation is at noon, prior to the service at the church. A Celebration of Life will also be held this summer at Buena Vista Ski Area.

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