Marilyn Kjeer

Marilyn Louise Kjeer was born on September 12, 1936, in Sioux City Iowa to Hart and Gladys Kjeer, and older sister Nancy (Rosen), Marilyn spent her childhood in Fort Dodge. In 1955, she graduated from Fort Dodge Senior High and afterwards the family moved to Aberdeen, South Dakota for a few years. There, Marilyn worked as receptionist for two optometrists, where she “kept the books and scheduled appointments.” Later, Marilyn enrolled at Presentation College in Aberdeen, taking courses to become a Medical Secretary. She recalls her favorite subjects were Medical Terminology and Anatomy. Eventually, Marilyn returned to Fort Dodge and was offered a job at the hospital where she worked in Medical Records for 20 years. There she was responsible for all the incomplete records and transcriptions. It was during her tenure at the hospital; Marilyn received a call from Iowa Central Community College requesting she teach a Medical Terminology night class. She did this for three years and was surprised by how much she enjoyed it. Marilyn’s career also included a five-year stint in Medical Records at Fort Dodge Mental Health Center.