Marilyn Jean Stille

Woodland Hills Funeral Home 507-387-5504

Marilyn Jean (McLaughlin) Stille, age 92, was welcomed into her eternal home on Saturday, April 1, 2023. 

 A Celebration of Marilyn’s Life will be Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at 1 P.M. at Woodland Hills Chapel in Mankato, with Pastor Richard Waters officiating. Interment will be in Immanuel Reformed United Church of Christ Cemetery in Storm Lake, Iowa at a later date.
 Visitation will be on Wednesday morning from 11 A.M. until the hour of services at Woodland Hills Chapel. Arrangements by Woodland Hills Funeral Home of Mankato. www.woodlandhillsfh.com

Born on October 11, 1930, in Coon Rapids, Iowa, Marilyn was the daughter of Boise and Mildred McLaughlin. She was raised on her family’s farm. She attended country school through grade eight and later graduated from Coon Rapids High School. Following graduation, she attended Buena Vista College in Storm Lake where she received her elementary education degree. Marilyn also met her future husband, Dean, singing in the college choir, and the two were married on August 12, 1951. 

 The couple moved to New Jersey where Marilyn taught and Dean attended graduate school. Their next move was to Wisconsin, where Marilyn found work teaching while Dean attended seminary. They spent two years at a church in Harbine, Nebraska before settling into ministry at Peace United Church of Christ in Minnesota Lake. Marilyn was active in various church groups and sang in the choir. Here, Marilyn taught school for over twenty years, and touched the lives of many, many elementary school children.

 After thirty years, a move was made to Federated U.C.C. in Jewell, Iowa. Marilyn was active in church groups and was the choir director. Marilyn continued teaching, but on a substitute basis, and she became a member of the local chapter of the P. Buckley Moss Society.

 In 1996, Marilyn and Dean moved to Wells, Minnesota where they bought their first home and spent time renovating and putting in flower beds. She enjoyed gospel music concerts and conventions with her husband as well as gardening, traveling, and singing. She found lots of pleasure in sewing and crafts, but she particularly enjoyed spending time with her family and friends.

 She is survived by her daughters, Claudia Smith, Cindy Stille, Cathy Neuwirth; grandchildren, Erin Lutterman, Preston Smith, Katie Wisecup, Jessica Neuwirth; great-grandchildren, Rachel Lutterman, Alison Lutterman, Andrew Wisecup; sister, Kay Morrow; sister-in-law, Joyce Stille; other relatives and friends.

 She was preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, Dean Stille; son, Scott Stille.