Marilyn Ruth Grieser

Marilyn worked beside her husband on their dairy farm, milking cows and raising Registered Holsteins until 1965 when they moved to Garden City.  She then was a homemaker and a loving, caring, devoted wife and mother.  For about 15 years she worked alongside Duane in the carpentry business doing sanding, hand staining, varnishing, and painting in the homes he built.  She was a perfectionist with her woodwork and even a cottonball didn’t stand a chance to leave one fiber behind on her smooth cabinet finishes!  In 1987, she went to work at the Cass County Assessor’s Office.  She loved working there with the public and made yet another group of friends!

She retired in 1997 and her and Duane began traveling.  They loved Branson, especially Silver Dollar City.  In the winter they lived in New Braunfels, Texas, enjoying friends they had known since high school!  In the summer they went “home” to Minnesota and spent their time fishing, playing cards, games, and entertaining family and friends.

Marilyn was a VERY HAPPY person!  She had a loud, contagious laugh, which everyone who knew her will remember!  She made people feel they had her undivided attention.  She was witty and funny, loved taking pictures, gardening, garage saling, picking up pecans, cooking, baking, singing, whistling, yodeling, and being with her family and friends.

She was a devout Lutheran all her life.  She loved Jesus! Marilyn was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Creighton, Mo. and attended there with her daughter for the last time on October 30, 2022.  She served as secretary of the church council; secretary/treasurer of the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery and multiple LWML Ladies Aid offices over the years.  She taught Sunday School and was a wonderful Christian example for all.  About 10 years ago, Marilyn was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.  She may have forgotten familiar names and faces, but she could recite the Lord’s Prayer, every word of the Nicene Creed, and the communion service liturgy without missing a beat!  It was amazing!  All her ducks were in the right row!

Duane and Marilyn were loving parents to their four children:  Linda Kay, Douglas Dean, Patrick Lee, and Mary Elizabeth.  She always called her kids by their first AND middle names, even when they weren’t in trouble.  She said she just loved their names!

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Duane in 2013; her daughter, Mary Liz in 1972; her son, Douglas on March 10, 2022; a granddaughter in law, Donna Grieser; brothers, Eddy Bachmann and Clair Bachmann, and brother-in-law, Larry Wouters.

Marilyn is survived by her daughter, Linda (Jim) Sisk, Garden City, Mo.; son, Patrick Grieser, Harrisonville, Mo.; four grandchildren, Deena (Scott) Steckly, Wesley Chapel, FL.; Matthew (Tara) Sisk, Lee’s Summit, Mo.; Jana (John) Riggs, Garden City, Mo.; Ben (Samantha) Grieser, Creighton, Mo.; seven great grandchildren, Tony, Luke, Elizabeth, Nathaniel, Corina, Tye, and Wyatt; two step- great grandchildren, Lilli and Willow; and four great-great grandchildren, Mariska, James, Mira, and Duane; sister, Kathy Wouters, Vergas, Minnesota; brother, Jon Jay (Lola) Bachmann, Frazee, Minnesota; sister-in-law, Verna Bachmann, Frazee, Minnesota; sister-in-love, Barbara Towse, Leawood, Kansas;  aunt and uncle, Alfred and Marian Bachmann, Frazee, Minnesota.  A host of dearly loved nieces and nephews, other relatives, and many, many friends.