Marilyn Kiliper

Marilyn Joan Shaw, the daughter of Elmer and Hannah (Christensen) Shaw, was born July 7, 1927, in Forest City, Iowa. She lived in Estherville, Mitchell, South Dakota, and Carroll before moving to Fort Dodge. She graduated from Fort Dodge Senior High in 1945 and received her B.S. degree in home economics from Iowa State University and was active with the Iowa State Singers. While at Iowa State she took a class receiving instruction from the well-known sculptor Christian Peterson and enjoyed reunions held during Veishea events. On August 20, 1950, Marilyn was united in marriage to Jerry Kiliper in Fort Dodge. Marilyn was a homemaker and a very active volunteer.

Marilyn was a charter member of Grace Lutheran Church, where she was once involved in Mary circle, the church choir and handbell choir, Creative Spirit Singers, past member of the church council, property, fellowship, and worship committees, past president of LCW, and Willing Workers sewing group. Marilyn was a member of PEO Chapter GV, Trinity Regional Hospital Auxiliary Board, YWCA Board of Directors, 4H leadership and girl scouts, secretary of Women’s Group Cluster 8 for church women, former member of Karl King Chapter of Questers, TTT, FDSH Alumni Association, Fort Dodge Area Symphony Board of Directors, and Gamma Phi Beta Sorority.

Marilyn is survived by her children, Lisa (Steve) Turner, Urbandale; Terry (Deb McCrady) Kiliper, Fort Dodge; and Laurie (Rick) Wagner, Fort Dodge; her daughter-in-law Marianne Kiliper, Ames; grandchildren, Geoff Turner, Erick Turner, Sarah Yager, Lindsay Maysent, Tom Kiliper, Jason Kiliper, Brad Hanson, Jake Wagner, Olivia Wagner, Mitch McCrady, Megan Kesterson, Max McCrady, and Marty McCrady; and 24 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, her son Randy, her parents, a brother Robert Shaw, and an infant sister Carol Shaw.

A service honoring Marilyn’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, May 20, at Grace Lutheran Church with the Rev. Dan Kahl officiating. Interment will follow in the Otho Cemetery. Visitation is 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Sunday at Grace Lutheran Church. Friends attending the visitation are encouraged to wear their favorite Iowa State clothing in honor of Marilyn’s love for the Cyclones. Memorials may be directed to Grace Lutheran Church or the Paula J. Baber Hospice Home. Arrangements have been entrusted to Gunderson Funeral Home & Cremation Services.