Sweeney, Marilyn Kay

Marilyn Kay Sweeney

Des Moines

Marilyn Kay Sweeney was born Sept. 1, 1952, at John McDonald Hospital in Monticello, Iowa to Paul M. and C. Marie Martensen. She passed away peacefully at the Taylor House Hospice facility on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2013, after a long and courageous battle with Multiple System Atrophy, with her husband and son at her side.

Marilyn was baptized and confirmed at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in Monticello. The first 10 years of her life were spent living on the Martensen farm six miles south of Monticello. In March 1963, the Martensens and dog Mitzi moved into town. After graduating from high school in Monticello, Marilyn attended UNI and graduated in 1974, with honors and a major in music education. She received the Purple and Old Gold Award for Conspicuous Achievement in Music. The following two years she taught music at the Rudd, Rockford, and Marble Rock Community schools.

On Feb. 11, 1977, she married Peter M. Apel of Rudd, Iowa at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in Monticello. They were divorced in February 1981. He survives. On June 14, 1986, she married Kevin E. Sweeney of Dubuque at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Dubuque. He survives.

In 1993, Marilyn received an accounting degree from Loras College in Dubuque. On Aug. 13, 1997, a beautiful and much wanted son was born, Jeremy Jacob-Edward Sweeney.

In addition to her husband and son, Marilyn is survived by her best, almost lifelong friend, Roberta Johnson; her sister, Janice Woodroffe; numerous sisters- and brothers-in-law; Maddie (her miniature American Eskimo dog); her aunt, Ella Bohlken of Foley, Ala.; and several nieces and nephews.

In May 1999, the Sweeneys moved to West Des Moines, where the family still resides. Marilyn was a substitute teacher for the elementary vocal music teachers at Westridge Elementary in West Des Moines. She loved her families, good friends, her dogs, Mitzi, Fluffer, Sasha and Maddie; traveling, baking, playing cards, Jeremy's extended families, music, and most recently, volunteering at the Lutheran Church of Hope.

In lieu of flowers, she would like memorials to be used for the education of Jeremy.

Marilyn's family wishes to extend their thanks to the caregivers of Caring Hearts Home Care, the nurses and aides at Taylor House and Kevin's sister, Kathy for the wonderful care they provided to Marilyn and to the family. There is a special place in heaven for these individuals.

Visitation will be Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Hamilton's on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Pkwy., in West Des Moines. The funeral service will be 10 a.m. Friday at Lutheran Church of Hope, 925 Jordan Creek Pkwy. in West Des Moines. Burial will be Saturday, Sept. 7, in Monticello, with a service at 11 a.m. at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church. .

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

Published Sept. 6, 2013 in The Gazette