Marilyn Mentzer, age 87, of Early, IA, passed away on Sunday, December 21, 2020 at Twilight Acres Nursing Home in Wall Lake, IA. Marilyn Jane Mentzer was born to parents George and Florence Staton on September 17, 1933, in Sac City, IA. She grew up in Sac City where she attended grade school and then graduated from Sac City High School with the class of 1952. After graduation, Marilyn worked at the bank in town from 1953 to 1955.
On March 19, 1955, Marilyn was united in marriage to Raymond Mentzer at the Christian Church in Sac City, IA. This union was blessed with five children: Eugene, Kathy, Jeff, Diane, and David. Together they raised their family in Early, IA, on the farm. Marilyn was an active 50 year member of the United Methodist Church in Early where she taught Sunday school for several years. She was also a long time member of the Legion Auxilliary.
In her free time, Marilyn loved to garden and can vegetables. She enjoyed the outdoors and watching out her front window to see the road and everything going on. She always complained whenever her kids would park equipment in her driveway because it blocked her view. Marilyn had a great sense of humor and will always be remembered as the prankster to her grandchildren. Marilyn was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. Her family meant the world to her and it showed. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Those left to cherish her memory include her children: Eugene (Lori) Mentzer of Sac City, IA, Kathy (Kevin) Johnson of Winterset, IA, Jeff (Dawn) Mentzer of Early, IA, Diane Hansen of Schaller, IA, and David (Mary) Mentzer of Early, IA; grandchildren: Brian, Kurt, Andrea, Cassandra, C.J., Amanda, Devin, Jack, Ross, Emma, Evan, Katherine, Chuck, Kyle, Eric, and Beth; great-grandchildren: Raelynn, Bentley, Olivia, Joe, Liz, Max, Noah, Marcus, Elodie, Brook, and Bridget; sister Joann Vauble; and several nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband Raymond Mentzer; parents; granddaughter Sara Mentzer; siblings: Katherine Birt, Martha Breon, Marjorie Hammer, Lee Staton, James Staton, Leo Staton, Wilber Staton, Rolland Staton, Claire Staton; son-in-law Charlie Hansen.