Marilyn Elam

MARILYN KAY ELAM

Cedar Rapids

Marilyn Kay Elam, 70, of Cedar Rapids, went to be with her Lord on Sunday, Aug. 27, 2017, after a lengthy illness. Visitation: 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 30, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Marion, with a vigil starting at 4 p.m. Funeral Mass: 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 31, at St. Pius X Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids, with visitation one hour before the service, conducted by the Rev. Philip Thompson. Inurnment will be held at a later date.

Marilyn was born Sept. 12, 1946, the daughter of Vaughn and Helen (Gregan) White. She married Kermit I. Elam on Feb. 4, 1967. Kay and her husband owned Bowman Woods Service for many years, where she helped manage the books and the business while she raised her children. After selling the business, Kay worked for Von Maur and then for Aegon, from where she retired. Kay was a devoted Catholic and attended St. Pius X Parish. Over the years, she volunteered with CCD, making cookies for the hospice house and answering the phone.

The family would like to thank Mercy Palliative and Hospice Care for their care of Kay. We would also like to thank Jenn and Tricia for their excellent care and help with Kay to keep her at home as she wished.

Survivors include her husband; children, Scott (Stacey) Elam of Central City, Mary Kay Hand of Alburnett and Brian (Teresa) Elam of Cedar Rapids; grandchildren, Lindsey (Paul) Sabelka, Breanna Elam, and Mikayla and Tyler Hand; brothers, Jerry (Kathy) White of Keswick and Joe (Diane) White of Georgia; and loyal companion, Kasey.

She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, John and Bill White.

Due to Kay's rare disease, it was her final wish to donate her brain to help others. A memorial fund has been established in Kay's memory for the Department of Neurology, c/o Dr. Kumar Naraynan, for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy research.

Please share a memory of Marilyn at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.