Marilyn Louise Kester

Marilyn Louise Kester

Marion

Marilyn Louise Kester, 78, of Marion, Iowa, died peacefully on May 6, 2023. Family will greet friends from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, May 12, 2023, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service. Cremation will follow visitation and a Celebration of her life will be held at a later date.

She was born on May 21, 1944, the daughter of Everett and Hazel Alber of Boone, Iowa. Marilyn graduated from Bonne High School and Boone Community College before moving to Marion. She became an Administrative Assistant to the Director of the Linn County Public Health Department where she worked for 30-plus years. Marilyn was a member of Faith Lutheran Church.

In 2002, Marilyn met Bob Ulrich and they became close companions. Bob describes her as kind and thoughtful, always putting her family before herself. They include two daughters, Kris (Steve) Gogg and Kimberly (Mark) Colton, both of Marion; grandchildren, Brad Kester of Marion, Bryan Gogg of Indianapolis, Ind., and Derik (Brittany) Gogg of Dunkerton, Iowa, Mason Colton of Iowa City, Iowa, and Max Colton of Marion; and one great-granddaughter, Lohwyn.

Throughout her adult life several cats and dogs were lucky to have been adopted and cared for by Marilyn. She loved them all. Besides being a league bowler, she was an avid reader. Later, during struggles with her health, she looked forward to the TV cooking shows, FBI files, and following the play of the Iowa Hawkeyes and the play of her favorite pro golfers. Marilyn will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Memorials in Marilyn’s memory may be directed to Critter Crusaders of Cedar Rapids, online or at P.O. Box 10111, Cedar Rapids, IA 52410, or a charity of the donor’s choice to benefit breast cancer research.

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