Marilyn Jean Walker

Marilyn Jean Walker, the daughter of Lewie W. and Violet E. (Smith) Schultz, was born August 10, 1934, in Newton, Iowa. She graduated from the Newton Senior High School with the class of 1952.

On August 31, 1956, Marilyn was united in marriage with Duane E. “Tuff” Walker in Reasnor, Iowa. In earlier years, her life revolved around the Reasnor softball games, where she built lasting friendships and memories. Marilyn worked as a medical secretary for the Maytag Company in Newton, Iowa. She found peace and happiness in her garden, lovingly tending to her flowers with the same care she showed those around her. Marilyn was a devoted grandmother whose greatest joy came from cheering on her grandchildren at every game, concert, and school event—rarely missing a moment of their lives. A faithful prayer warrior, Marilyn lifted her family and friends in prayer daily, offering comfort and strength through her steadfast faith. She was a member of the United Methodist Women and Choose To Lose. After the Reasnor church closed, she was warmly welcomed into the Monroe United Methodist Church, where she found a new church family and continued to live out her deep faith.

Marilyn died on Monday, October 13, 2025, at her home, in Reasnor, Iowa. She was 91 years old. Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Duane, on May 31, 2001; and a daughter, Regina Sue Walker.

Those left to honor Marilyn’s memory include her son, Kevin (Janell) Walker; her daughters, Janna (Lance) Diekema and Connie (Jary) Hoskey; her grandchildren, Kelsey (Austin) LaZella, Jenny

Walker, Katie (Ross) Collins, Kaci (Matt) Mullen, Kylee (Noel) Wilson, Kodie (Matthew) Sternhagen, Sara (Allen) Fleener, Natalie (Lauryn) Camp, SSG Jon Lang, Nicki (Brian) Shores and family, Stacey Klein and family; her great grandchildren, Huxtyn and Gibson LaZella, Bode Eshelman, Walker, Ginny and Lillian Collins, Regina and Tillman Mullen, Alivia Miller, Kennedy and Jaxon Fleener, Rowan, Quincy and Zoie Camp; and her sister-in-law, Shirley Funk.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, October 17, 2025, at the Monroe United Methodist Church. The family will greet friends from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Thursday at the church. A Facebook Live broadcast will begin at 11:00 a.m. Friday on the Pence ~ Reese Funeral Home Facebook page. Memorials may be designated to the Reasnor Fire Department or the Monroe United Methodist Church and may be left at the church or at Pence ~ Reese Funeral Home. The family would like to give special thanks to MercyOne Hospice, especially Jenna and Connie for the great care offered to our mother and grandmother.