Marilyn Mae Robertson Woolsey was born on October 12, 1936, in Osceola Iowa to Philip French and Audrey Doris Rosengrant Robertson and passed away on March 14, 2025, in Norwalk Iowa.
Marilyn was raised on the family century farm on Popcorn Road near Garden Grove. She graduated from Garden Grove High School in 1954 where she proudly served as the drum majorette in the band. She and Marvin were married on December 4, 1954, in San Diego, California where they remained for four years. Marilyn and Marvin and young son, Eddie, then moved to LeRoy, Iowa to begin farming and to be closer to their family. A few years later they moved to Weldon and welcomed daughter, Angela.
Marilyn was active in the Weldon Christian Church and was known for her fabulous singing voice in the choir. She loved music. The Sound of Music was one of her favorites as were Roy Rogers and Dale Evans. She knew the words by heart too many, many songs and hymns. She was especially fond of the Christmas season and Christmas music.
Marilyn was devoted to her family and friends. Her quick wit and sense of humor endured throughout her life and was appreciated by those who were fortunate enough to know her.
Marilyn took great honor in decorating special occasion cakes for generations of families in the community. She made every effort to match cake frosting to the colors in bridesmaid dresses, graduation gowns and the like. Her friends were accustomed to sitting at her kitchen table watching as she baked cakes, decorated cakes, and washed an endless mountain of dishes. Marilyn’s cakes made trips out of the local community to places such as Florida and Kansas City. Her cakes were truly works of art, especially considering she had no air conditioning!
Marilyn and Marvin farmed near Weldon until moving to Osceola in the early 1990s where she worked in the bakery of a local grocery store until her retirement. She enjoyed her friendships as a member of the Osceola Red Hats and the Research Club. In 2021, Marilyn moved to Norwalk to be closer to her family.
Marilyn’s legacy of kindness and gentle spirit will live on in the hearts of all who knew her. She will be deeply missed, and her memory will be forever cherished.
Marilyn is survived by her son Edward L. Woolsey (Mary Ann Hynes) of Prole, Angela Baughman of Norwalk, one cherished granddaughter, two dear great-grandsons, Katie Enos, Carter and Caden all of Norwalk. She is also survived by her dear life-long friend Nancy Wetzel of Norwalk.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Philip and Audrey Rosengrant Robertson, her husband Marvin Woolsey.
The celebration of life will be officiated by Todd Carroll at the Weldon Christian Church in Weldon, Iowa on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. Coffee and cookies will be served afterwards. Marilyn and Marvin will be laid to rest in the Garden Grove Cemetery at a later date.
Memorial contributions will be dedicated to a bench in their honor at location to be determined.
