Marlis has lived in the Wilmot Wisconsin area since 2000. She shares her home with Al, a very happy Golden Retriever, Odie and Molly, a Black Mountain Cur Mix. In 2008 Marlis and Al decided to take guitar lessons at UW Parkside. In class their teacher, George Lawrence, mentioned the bluegrass jam at Apple Holler. After going to the first jam they were hooked. Besides enjoying the music they have met some wonderful people. One day her guitar teacher brought his stand-up bass to class and had everyone try it. That was when Marlis knew that she wanted to learn to play the bass.

After many years of working in the Advertising Accounting field, Marlis retired in 2012. In late 2012 and 2013 Marlis played bass as part of the Borderline String Band until they disbanded. Since then Marlis has been playing bass at as many jams as possible, with many pick-up bands and regularly with KR Bluegrass. Beside bluegrass music their other hobbies are old vintage cars, formula car racing, cowboy action shooting and traveling. They really enjoy taking their blue 1937 Ford pick-up truck to local cruise nights.

Marlis has two daughters, five grandchildren and two great grandchildren.