Marilyn Vanderlinden's Obituary
Marilyn Florence Vanderlinden, 89 of Centerville Iowa passed peacefully to heavenly glory on Friday, December 3, 2021 at MercyOne Centerville, in a sunny hospice room, wrapped in a warm blanket, surrounded by love.
Marilyn was born to Amos and Myrtle (Underwood) Siglin on October 17, 1932 near Woodward IA. She graduated from Seymour High in 1950 after her family moved to Cattleland Farm, south of Numa.
Marilyn was united in marriage to Willard (Bill) Lyle Vanderlinden on June 21, 1953. They were inseparable and deeply in love for 57 years, living in Ames IA, Seattle WA, Henderson IA, Cattleland Farm in Appanoose County, Seymour IA, Bismarck ND, Des Moines IA and, finally, Centerville. At their 45th wedding anniversary, Bill gave Marilyn a jeweled crown to honor their abiding love. There's also an engraved brick at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, a public testament to their love.
Marilyn obtained her RN degree from Iowa Methodist College of Nursing and worked at Putman County Hospital, Centerville Care Center, and Iowa Methodist among others, retiring in 1998. She loved being a nurse and kept contact with her nursing school friends with a round-robin letter for decades. Her daughter, Stacy, was inspired to become a nurse.
Marilyn enjoyed all kinds of technology including her fancy sewing machine. Passions included traveling to visit friends and family, quilting, flowers, reading, gardening, coffee and playing the piano. A favorite song was 'On Eagle's Wings' by Michael Joncas. She also enjoyed almost daily visits from her son Kirk, and his big farm dogs.
She received her pilot's license and flew small engine airplanes. This interest led to her serve on the Centerville Airport Commission. At 86, she jumped out of a perfectly good airplane with her son, Steven, at one of their events.
In her youth Marilyn enjoyed being outdoors and riding horses, learning to braid on a horse's mane. Later, she documented Siglin family genealogy and enjoyed Siglin family reunions.
She attended lay leadership classes and often provided inspiring sermons at her beloved church in service to her Lord. She hosted many church picnics and family parties in her beautiful garden.
Survivors include her children: Scott Vanderlinden (Beverly), Karen Steenhoek (Larry), Steven Vanderlinden (Karen), Kirk Vanderlinden (Debbie), Stacy Thomas (Dean), 20 grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren and extended family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Willard, daughter-in-law, Tena (Chitwood) Vanderlinden, her parents and her siblings: Doris Holland, Courtney Siglin and Darlene Shephard.
The family thanks Kathy Lange, MD, and the staffs at Centerville Specialty Care and MercyOne for their loving and compassionate care. Special thanks to Scott for seeing her through many of her last months with loving and thoughtful care in her home.
A memorial service will be 11:00 am, Friday, December 10 at First Presbyterian Church in Centerville. Should you desire, memorial contributions may be sent to the First Presbyterian Church of Centerville, 102 N Main Street, 52544. Condolences may be shared at www.thomasfh.com or facebook.com/thomasfuneralhome.
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