Marilyn M. St. John
November 7, 1925 – June 2, 2020
In accordance with her wishes, cremation will take place and a gathering to celebrate Marilyn’s life will be held in the future. For those wishing to contribute in Marilyn’s memory, please consider First Presbyterian Church of Manchester (Iowa), Special Olympics or Habitat for Humanity, c/o the funeral home.
Obituary
Age 94, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday June 02, 2020. She was born on November 7, 1925 in Des Moines, Iowa, daughter of Fremont and Jessie (Davis) St. John. Marilyn graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in January 1943. On May 17, 1946, she was married to Jerome V Uhlman. On November 29, 1975, she was united in marriage to Leo Eugene Stone. Marilyn had a long and storied career as a secretary. From 1943 until 1984, she was key in assisting many companies including United Federal, Socony Vacuum, Todd’s Butchers Friend, Brenton Bank, Collins Radio, J-Tec Associates, Molenaar, Inc. In 1984 she worked as a “Kelly Girl” in Cedar Rapids and Des Moines, Iowa, then retired to open her own business, Neat Things, Inc., selling Advertising Specialties in Manchester, Iowa. In 1993, she sold her business and worked as a commissioned salesperson for Kaeser & Blair, selling advertising specialties for many years. She was a Certified Professional Secretary, a title earned through the National Secretaries Association in 1972. In 1973, she was named Secretary of the Year through the Cedar Rapids National Secretaries Chapter. She was very active with the TOPS (Take Pounds Off Sensibly) program and won the 1999 TOPS award for the largest loss in the district and was very proud of the Ruby Necklace awarded to her for keeping the weight off for 10 years. Marilyn is cherished in memory and legacy by her children, David Alan (Debra) Uhlman, Janis Lynn (John) Uhlman Etzcorn; stepchildren, Audrey L. (Jamie) Steidl, and Peggy J. Stone. She will also be fondly remembered by her grandchildren, Jason Alan (Emily) Uhlman, Ryan Robert Etzcorn, Madelyn Mae Etzcorn and her beloved great-grandchildren, Zoey Elizabeth Uhlman, Kai Alan Uhlman and Sawyer Linden Uhlman.
I’m a deacon with Westminster Presbyeterian Church and had the opportunity to visit with Marilyn on a few occasions. We always had the most wonderful visits and conversations. I’ll miss visiting her and hearing her stories. My prayers to her loved ones.
Marilyn was a wonderful stepmother to my sister Audrey and me for many years, and I am so glad we were able to keep in touch until just a few days before she died. In my second to last phone call with her, she said she was afraid she was losing some brain cells, and I told her not to worry; the moment she passed she would have them all back – and more! – which made her chuckle. She was a very sweet lady, and much beloved by her extended family.
I have many great memories of my stepmother, Marilyn. She was sweet, kind, gave a heartfelt hug, lived her Christian faith and made the best Christmas sugar cookies. We had wonderful times together from trips to WDW to San Diego to Albuquerque. The last time I called her on Mother’s Day was to let her know how much we loved and valued her. Love never ends.