March 19, 2024

Marilyn B. O’Harra

Feb. 5, 2016

Marilyn B. O’Harra, the daughter of Charles H. “Buster” Hill and Mary Elizabeth Bear was born May 27, 1946, in Redfield, S.D. She graduated from high school in Sturgis, S.D.

Marilyn lived in Phoenix, Ariz., for seven years before moving to Newton, more than 30 years ago. She drove a school bus, worked at Riverview Release Center in Newton, and the Women’s Reformatory in Mitchellville, before opening a day care center in her home in Newton.

Marilyn had devoted her life to her family. She enjoyed her family, especially her grandchildren. She also enjoyed camping, baking, sewing and gardening.

Marilyn died on Friday, Feb. 5, 2016, at the Grinnell Regional Medical Center in Grinnell. She was 69 years old. She was preceded in death by her parents; an infant daughter; sister Mavis Otto; and brother-in-law, Andy Cordova.

Those left to honor Marilyn’s memory include her daughters and sons-in-law, Cindy (Ted) Owens of Des Moines, Marsha (Todd) Dreesman of Clarksville, Nyanza O’Harra of Newton; her sons and daughter-in-law Ryan (Darlene) O’Harra of Carrollton, Ky., and Anthony O’Harra (Natalie Wilson) of Newton; her grandchildren, Amber, Brendan, Amanda, Christopher, Scotty, Josh, Kaitlyn, Jackson, Pacen, Aubrey and Lincoln; her great-grandchildren, Cameron, Dalton and Aubrey; her sisters, Frances Cordova of Albuquerque, N.M., and Sharron Gruenwald of British Columbia, Canada; and her brother, Chuck Hill of Des Moines.

The family will greet friends Tuesday, Feb. 9 from 6 until 7 p.m at the Pence — Reese Funeral Home. A memorial service will begin at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be left in Marilyn’s name.