Born on February 26, 1929, in Gary, Indiana, to Walter and Emilie Ohlschlager. She attended grade school in Creston & moved to Hammond, IN, in the sixth grade when her father needed a job and her uncle, Edward, recommended Hammond, IN, as a welder. She graduated from Hammond High School in 1947 and moved to Marshalltown to live with her sister, Thelma Johannsen. While in Marshalltown, Marilyn met Vernon McKibben at a dance at the Coliseum. They were married on August 14, 1949, at The Binford House in Marshalltown. They moved to LeGrand, IA, and purchased a home on the corner of Clinton and Vine where they raised three children; Maralee, Carol and Jeff. They were members of The United Church of Christ. Marilyn joined The Royal Neighbors of America Women’s Organization and participated for four years. While they lived in LeGrand, her brother and his three children joined them for two years before Marilyn and family moved to North 3rd Street in Marshalltown in 1955. While living in Marshalltown, she volunteered with The Binford House Federation of Women’s Clubs for 52 years. She was also a member of Marshalltown Women’s Chorus for 25 years, and served at the Marshalltown Emergency Food Box for 38 years. She was an active member on her church board for many years, attending District Meetings in the area. Marilyn was a caregiver for her family and friends, taking them to doctor appointments and grocery shopping. She and Vern were married for 58 years, celebrating their 25th, 40th, and 50th anniversaries with their family and friends. They vacationed to other states to participate in graduations and weddings of family members. Family was very important to her and she made every effort to attend when possible.

Marilyn is survived by her children; Maralee Kruse, Carol Baxter and Jeffrey (Kris) McKibben, grandchildren: Michele (Steve) Sparks, David Kruse, Angela (Todd) Ahrens, Chris Lapour, Dena Broyles, Mindy (Jason) Benson, and Kim (Joel) Tichy; 11 great grandchildren, and 6 great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Vernon, one sister and brother-in-law, Thelma and Don Johannsen, one brother and sister-in-law, Walter and Shirley Ohlschlager, her sons-in-law, Douglas Kruse and Ronald Baxter, as well as multiple McKibben brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

Memorials may be directed to the Binford House Foundation, The Emergency FoodBox or First United Church of Christ.