Marilyn Joyce (Westermeyer) Klein

Marilyn Joyce (Westermeyer) Klein

Cedar Rapids

Marilyn Joyce (Westermeyer) Klein passed away peacefully July 28, 2022, surrounded by her loving family. Her immediate family members of children, spouses, grandchildren and great-grandchildren numbered 126. Marilyn will be remembered as a faith-filled woman that was a wonderful family matriarch and friend. She was a loyal parishioner at St. Pius X and later, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic churches in Cedar Rapids. She kept a tidy home and was an excellent cook. Marilyn lovingly enjoyed her family, children, animals, flowers and the piano. She delighted in artistic painting later in life. Those that knew her enjoyed her delightful sense of humor.

Marilyn was born on Jan. 29, 1925, in Dyersville, Iowa, to Charles and Sedelle (Rohenkohl) Westermeyer. She was the second oldest of the Westermeyer family of nine. Siblings included Carmen Chapman, Joy Schaetzle, Carlton Westermeyer, Beverly Green, June Lukan, Carlos Westermeyer, Gary Westermeyer and Sandra Faltermeier. Sandra is her only surviving sibling.

Marilyn was a graduate of Dyersville Xavier High School in 1943. She worked at the Stampfer Department Store of Dubuque. This is where she met her sweetheart, Gib Klein, of Cuba City, Wisconsin. They married in 1952 and raised nine children together. Later in life Gib suffered a stroke and Marilyn lovingly cared for him in their home for 15 years. He passed away in 2010.

Marilyn Klein’s life will be honored and celebrated by way of a Visitation from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 1, at the Cedar Memorial Park Chapel State Room in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Funeral Mass will take place at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 2, at St. Francis Xavier Basilica in Dyersville, Iowa. A visitation at the church will be held one hour prior to Mass, starting at 12:30 p.m. Following Mass, the burial will be at the nearby St. Francis Cemetery, next to her beloved husband of 58 years, Gilbert Klein.

Marilyn is survived by her nine children, Krystal (Dewayne) Rahe, Kevin (Kenda) Klein, Michele Ray, Dana (John) Miller, Chuck Klein, Rhonda (Jim) Nissen, Ken (Kim) Klein, Jon (Lisa) Klein and Jason (Regina) Klein.

Her family would like to express a heartfelt “thank you” to all the caregivers at Grand Living and Mercy Hospice Care for their extraordinary care and kindness. In addition, we want to express our deep gratitude to Giora and Toni Neta for their loving and lasting friendship with Marilyn.

In lieu of flowers, a contribution to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cedar Rapids & East Central Iowa OR Last Hope Animal Shelter could be made. (Please send to Dana Miller, 3525 Lochwood Dr.,

Cedar Rapids, IA 52402).

Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.cedarmemorial.com under obituaries.