Marilyn Pruss Julian, 96, of Fremont passed away Thursday, December 25, 2025, at Methodist Fremont Health. She was born September 1, 1929 on the family farm in rural Colfax County to John and Agnes (Pospichal) Mlnarik.
She attended grade school at North Star rural school and St. Wenceslaus parochial school in Dodge. Marilyn graduated from Dodge High School in 1947.
Marilyn married James Pruss on September 9, 1947 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Dodge. They lived in Nebraska and became parents of 10 children. James died on May 15, 1994. Marilyn married Richard Julian on July 17, 1999. Richard passed away on December 20, 2012.
Marilyn taught rural schools at District 72 and 61. After she graduated from Midland Lutheran College in 1973 she taught at District 11, 24, Webster, Elm Tree and St. Wenceslaus Catholic School.
Marilyn, being a Roman Catholic, was a member of St. Wenceslaus in Dodge, St. Patrick’s of Clyde, St. Leo’s in Snyder and St. Patrick Catholic Church in Fremont.
Being very active in her faith, Marilyn was a CCD teacher for 15 years, becoming principal of High School CCD in Snyder and constructed lessons for Crescent for several years, During the years 1982 through 1988, Marilyn attended Lifelong Learning classes at Creighton University in Omaha, graduating with the Leadership Diploma in Religious Education in 1988. She became active in APC, the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council of the Omaha Archdiocese, in 1987, serving as Chairman for several years. She was the recipient of the “Archbishop Daniel E. Sheehan Award” in 1997.
Marilyn was a member of St. Patrick Women, serving as president for 10 years. She was a Member of St. Joan of Arc and served as president. She was a member of the Adult Choir and the New Life Choir. She was president for the Rural Southeast Deanery, served on the Legislature Committee for OACCW, “Omaha Archdiocese Council of Catholic Women”, and a recipient of “The Outstanding Catholic Woman Award” in 2021. She was president of the Fremont unit of Church Women United for seven years and served on the State Nominating Committee and represented the Catholic Church for Church Women United of Nebraska. Marilyn and her husband Jim were active members of the Marriage Encounter and Cursillo movement during their lifetimes.
Marilyn is survived by her children, James (Linda) Pruss of Dodge, Karen (Jack) Sapp of Cheyenne, Wyoming, Sandra (Bernie) Eikmeier of Omaha, Daniel (Trish) Pruss of Dodge, David (Janice) Pruss of Fremont, Connie Jo (Dan) Schnoes of Valley, John (Annie) Pruss of Olathe, Kansas, and Jeffrey (Danuse) Pruss of Missoula, Montana; 30 grandchildren; 49 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her stepchildren, Jeanie (John) Schendt of Papillion, Joanie (Jerry) Hasbrouck of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Judith Julian, Jennifer Julian, and John Julian all of Omaha; sister-in-law, Beatrice Pruss of Jacksonville, California, and many nieces and nephews.
Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, James and Richard; daughter, Cheryl Massaro; son, Steven Pruss; brothers, John and Leslie Mlnarik and sisters, Luella Dvorak, Irene Nordhues and Rita Dunker Corritori.
Funeral Mass will be 10 a.m. Friday, January 2, 2026, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Fremont. Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday (Jan. 1) with a Rosary to follow at 7 p.m., all at Moser’s in Fremont. Visitation will continue at the church from 9 to 10 a.m. Friday. Interment will be at approximately 2 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery at Clyde.
Memorials are suggested to the family for several funds yet to be established. Online condolences may be left at www.mosermemorialchapels.com.
