Marilyn Uhlken Lawler Goodwin

Marilyn was born in Marshalltown on Sept. 18, 1935, to Alfred and Viola Uhlken. She grew up with her sister Marjorie who was 11 months younger in Steamboat Rock, where she graduated from high school in 1953. She was active in her high school as a class officer, a cheerleader, majorette for the marching band and in various class plays.

She attended Ellsworth College and Parsons College and graduated in 1953. She then taught elementary school for three years prior to her marriage to Lawrence Lawler on Oct. 12, 1958. They lived in Eldora, where they built a new home and raised three sons and a daughter. Marilyn was a Cub Scout and Girl Scout leader and was very active in church and school activities. She loved attending sporting events. Her hobbies included reading, traveling and interior decorating.

After their children graduated from high school she and Lawrence obtained their foster parent license and cared for Jim Quinn, who they took into their lives and heart. Marilyn was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence in July 1989.

She married Paul Goodwin in September 1992. They traveled extensively and moved to Newton in 2004. They joined Community Heights Alliance Church and enjoyed new friends and loved entertaining in their home. They worked together and renovated several homes in the Newton area.

Those left to cherish her loving memory are her husband, Paul Goodwin; her children, Larry Lawler and daughter, Morgan of Plymouth, Minn., Lonny and Julie Lawler, sons Nolan and Evan of Osage, LaBrent and Sue Lawler and son and daughter, Cameron and Mikaela of Mitchellville, and Lisa and Scott Peterson and daughters, Avery and Lauren of Urbandale and Jim and Dove Quinn of Wilton, Conn.; sister, Marjorie Rieks of Newton; and nieces, Lori, Cathy and Diane and their spouses and children; Paul’s son, William and Teresa and daughter Grace of Minneapolis, Minn.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 8 at Community Heights Alliance Church in Newton. Memorial contributions may be directed to Community Heights Alliance Church building fund. Services with Johnson Funeral Services in Newton.