Marilyn Kaye Kuhns

Marilyn Kaye Kuhns (Mehlhoff) passed away peacefully with her family by her side on the afternoon of March 3, 2022. Marilyn was born December 13, 1946 in Tuttle, North Dakota to Dellas and Emmy Mehlhoff and was one of four children.

Later, Marilyn’s family moved to Aberdeen, Washington, where she met the love of her life, Russell Kuhns, at a YMCA dance at the age of 16. Years later, they married, and Marilyn shared her life with Russ for almost 56 years. Together, they were the owners of R.V. Kuhns & Associates and Lechon Restaurant in Portland, Oregon. Marilyn often said that her proudest moments in life came from raising her three daughters, Julie, Carrie and Jennifer.

Marilyn enjoyed her time as a volunteer in the Rental Sales Gallery of the Portland Art Museum and the Women’s Giving Circle for the Oregon State University Foundation. She, along with Russ, were avid fans of the Oregon State University football program, rarely missing a game since becoming season ticket holders in 1969. Among all their travels, Marilyn’s favorite trips were to South Africa where her love of giraffes and elephants were reinforced as she watched them roam gracefully across the Serengeti and in the Ngala Safari Lodge in the Kruger National Park of Northern South Africa.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, Dellas and Emmy and her brother, Brett Mehlhoff. Marilyn is survived by her husband, Russell, her three daughters, Julie Summers (Tony), Carrie Edwards, Jennifer Losquadro (Chris); her grandchildren, Vivian, Grace, and Chloe Summers along with Drew Edwards, James and Ryan Losquadro and her brothers, Don and Craig Mehlhoff. Marilyn wanted to be remembered for her “love of people”.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Portland on April 9th. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Marilyn’s name to the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute, OHSU Foundation, PO Box 29017, Portland, OR 97296