FARGO, N.D.--Marilyn Barge, the longtime golf coach who started the North Dakota State women's program in 1996, died Sunday, Oct. 11, at MeritCare Hospital.

Barge, age 77, coached the Bison for four seasons from 1996 to 2000.  Her teams placed sixth twice and fifth once in the North Central Conference.

Barge moved to Fargo in 1968 and was a substitute teacher in the Fargo school system for 29 years, mostly at Agassiz Junior High.  She coached the Fargo South High School girls' golf team from 1975 to 1985, where she won four state championships and was the state's Coach of the Year in 1977.

Inducted into the North Dakota Golf Hall of Fame in 1986, she was the 1975 Women's All-City champion and went on to win state senior tournament championships in 1987, 1989 and 1990.

A strong supporter and promoter of junior girls' golf, Barge was a member of the United States Golf Association's junior girls' committee since 1987 and assisted with the juniors program at the Fargo Country Club.

Barge was born in St. James, Minn., and grew up in nearby Odin.  She earned her two-year elementary teaching degree at Minnesota State Mankato and finished her four-year degree at Minnesota State Moorhead.

She is survived by her husband, Derald, one daughter, Deb Bakko, sons Mike and David Barge, two grandsons, a sister, brother-in-law, niece and four nephews.

Memorials may be sent to the Marilyn and Derald Barge NDSU Golf Endowment Fund.