Marilyn Jean Peterson, 63, of Oelwein passed away on Wednesday, November 30^th, 2011 at Mercy Hospital in Oelwein.

Visitation will be held from 3-7PM on Sunday, December 4^th, 2011 at the Geilenfeld Funeral Home in Oelwein.  Funeral Services will be held at 11AM on Monday, December 5^th, 2011 at Grace United Methodist Church in Oelwein with Rev. Connie Markle officiating.  Marilyn will be laid to rest in Woodlawn Cemetery.  Memorials may be directed to Marilyn’s family.

Marilyn was born on February 29, 1948 to parents William L. and Jessie Rose (Steuer) Houser in Oelwein.

Marilyn graduated Oelwein High School in 1966.  She was united in marriage to Gary Pritchard in Oelwein on July 3^rd, 1966.  They later divorced.  Marilyn was joined in marriage to Donald Peterson in Calmar. 

In her younger years, Marilyn worked at several area restaurants.  She then worked at Oelwein Care Center, serving as Dietary Supervisor, as well as assisting with activities and marketing.  Marilyn was well known at the Oelwein Care Center for her parties and cooking.  Marilyn retired in 2009, after 27 years of dedicated and caring service.

Marilyn had served as a Boy Scout and Girl Scout Leader for many years. She was also a member of the American Legion.  Marilyn was very active in Grace United Methodist Church, where she was baptized, confirmed, and married.  She was a member of the United Methodist Women and was a head cook for the SPLASH program.

Marilyn enjoyed camping, playing cards, crafts, sewing, and cooking.  She also enjoyed listening to music, riding around in the car, swimming and especially shopping; but most of all, family was everything to her.

Marilyn will be dearly missed by all who knew, and continue to love her.

Left to celebrate Marilyn’s life are her children: Cheryl (Rob) Pritchard-Supples of North Port, FL, Cathy (Tracy) Pritchard-Hoeger of West Des Moines, Melissa (Shaun) Pritchard-Arman of Maynard, Amanda (Josh) Peterson-Kalb of Maynard, and Dennis (Karrie) Peterson of Oelwein; her step-children: Ray, Jay, and Kay Peterson; her grandchildren: Tabitha, Colgan, Rose, Margaret, Jake, Anthony, Michael, Jonathon, Joe, Xander, Shaun, Bryan, Josh, and Zachary; her beloved dog Sammy; and her special life-long friend Dixie Baumgartner of Oelwein.

In death, Marilyn has rejoined her parents, her brother Robert Houser, and husband Donald Peterson (2003).