Marilyn Lucille Berry
April 21, 1924 ~ September 18, 2014
-Marilyn Lucille Carlson Berry, 90, formerly of 616 Pennsylvania Ave., passed away to be with her Lord at 10:03 a.m. September 18, 2014 at Vista Woods Care Center. Marilyn was born on April 21, 1924 in Yorktown, IL to parents Esther and Carl F. Carlson who emigrated from Smaland, Sweden. Her mother first worked at Donaldson''s restaurant in Minneapolis, MN as a waitress and later as a housewife. Her father was a carpenter and later became a foreman of a construction company that built churches throughout the Midwest, two of which were Congregational, built in Mt. Pleasant, IA and in Prophetstown, IL in 1919 where their first child, Arthur was born. Carl was injured during the construction of the last church and moved to Yorktown, where he was employed at the Yorktown Grain Elevator and Marilyn was born and a son was stillborn. In the late 20''s, the family moved to Manlius, IL where Carl was manager of the Manlius Grain and Coal Co. for over 30 years and his and Esther''s last child, James was born. Marilyn attended grade and high school in Manlius and was the Valedictorian of her High School class in 1942. She loved school, especially singing and tennis. During WWII, Marilyn was employed at the Rock Island Arsenal and after WWII she became employed with Palmer Chiropractic School where she met her husband, Dr. James A. Berry. They married on May 11, 1947 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Manlius. After her husband''s graduation, they moved to Indianapolis, IN, where Jim enrolled for graduate studies and Marilyn studied with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. In 1949, they moved to Hedrick where Jim began his chiropractic practice which he and Marilyn operated for over 50 years. In 2000 they moved to Fall River, WI to be near their only child, Susan. They moved back to Ottumwa in 2008 after Susan''s death. Marilyn was a graduate of Ottumwa Heights College and William Penn College, and taught English and French at Sigourney, Hedrick and Pekin High Schools. Marilyn was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Hedrick and later she attended First Lutheran and St. Paul''s in Ottumwa. She was involved in the women''s groups, youth and teaching classes. She sang in church choirs, community choirs and was soloist for many funerals. She was alto soloist for Handel''s Messiah in Oskaloosa and Ottumwa. She was a member of the Ft. Smith Players, and organized the musical trio “The Three Seniors.” Marilyn volunteered at the Hedrick Library, served on the Hedrick Community School Board and was the first woman to serve on the Hedrick City Council. She was the owner of Le Gift Shop in Hedrick and opened the Centennial House where she entertained many guests. She was active on the Hedrick Community Betterment Committee, served on the Ottumwa Area Arts Council and the Keokuk County Arts Council. She initiated and volunteered at the Hedrick Senior Meal Site and was a supporter of the Carl Craft Civic Center. Marilyn presented music programs and shared her hats throughout the state. While in Wisconsin, she was trained to become “Hattie the Clown” who entertained children of all ages. She enjoyed traveling throughout the states and Europe, preparing French meals, serving Swedish pancakes and decorating her home and yard with seasonal accents. While living at Prairie Hills, Marilyn enjoyed decorating her porch according to the season. Surviving is her brother, James (Dorothy) Carlson of Rockford, IL; four nieces, Hilary Carlson, Deborah Dorbad, Jane Scales and Jeanine Scott.; three nephews, Randal Carlson, Allen Carlson and James Berry.o She was preceded in death by her husband on April 14, 2010; their daughter, Susan Kleinfeldt; and a brother, Arthur Carlson and nephew, Patrick James Carlson Funeral services will be 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Reece Funeral Home in Ottumwa with Rev. Ron Barnett officiating Visitation begins after 3 p.m. Friday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Trinity Evangelical Church, Manlius Visitation will be 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at Grant Johnson Funeral Home in Manlius, IL. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Monday at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Manlius, IL with Rev. Brenda Lovick officiating. Visitation one hour prior to the services in the church.. Burial will be in Manlius Cemetery.
Jim Carlson and nieces and nephews; We are members of the The Manlius Historical Society. We read the obituary in the in the BCR and were saddened to learn of the loss of Marilyn your sister and aunt.. She led a wonderful life with her many interests and we are grateful to have known her and for her contributions to The Manlius Historical Society. Thinking of all of you as you grieve her loss. With deepest sympathy. Pat Andersen Glafka, Bob Andersen, Betti Andersen Appenzeller, Deb Glafka Cushman.