Marilyn Mahler, age 72 of Sac City, IA, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 1, 2022, at home surrounded by her family. Marilyn Kay Rhodman was born on April 28, 1950, to parents Kermit and Zora Mae (Isom) Rhodman in Sioux City, IA. She was baptized on June 22, 1958, and later confirmed in Christ on November 18, 1973. Marilyn attended school in Sloan, IA, and graduated from Westwood High’s Class of 1968. She then attended Stuart School of Hairstyling.
On March 20, 1976, Marilyn was united in marriage to Larry Mahler at Emmanuel St. John Lutheran Church in Lytton, IA. This union was blessed with two children, Kari and Travis. Together they lived and raised their family in Sac City. Marilyn had a beauty salon in Lytton in the 1970’s for several years. After that, she worked various jobs around the area including being an aid and cook at the nursing home, for Sac County as a Dispatcher and Jailer, at VT and Pella, and her favorite job, being a teachers aid for the East Sac County School District. She loved kids and this job meant being around them every day, which she adored.
Marilyn loved her family and spending time with them, regardless of what they were doing, it meant the world to her. She was especially close to not only her nieces and nephews, but also to their children and grandchildren. She always kept up with their events, birthdays, activities, etc. and was just very involved in their lives. She loved the holidays and decorating for them, especially Christmas. Marilyn was a year-round Christmas present shopper which often led to not finding them until months after Christmas had past so it truly was ‘Christmas year-round’ at the Mahler house.
She enjoyed shopping and always looked forward to attending craft shows with her friends and family. She tried to not get lost in the crowd, her height however made that difficult. Whoever she was with knew they would have to go looking for her eventually. She enjoyed playing cards and going out to eat. Friday evenings meant gathering with their supper group at Hutch’s or other area restaurants, and Saturday and Sunday mornings she and Larry could be found at Hutch’s. Marilyn collected cook books as well as salt dishes and Department 56 Snowbabies figurines.
Marilyn loved her community and was involved in several groups and organizations over the years including Wa Tan Ye, Legion Auxiliary, and was on the Howard Center Board. She was also a Sac County Youth Mentor. In 1994, Marilyn received the State of Iowa Dispatcher of the Year award for her role as a dispatcher for the county.
Her family, friends, and community (especially her card playing friends) will miss her dearly. May she rest in God’s loving arms, now free of all pain, for eternity.
Survivors include her husband, Larry Mahler of Sac City, IA; children Kari Mahler (Collin Crotty) of Sac City, IA, and Travis (April) Mahler of Ankeny, IA; grandchildren Dahlia Mahler, Annabelle Tomes, Kyler Crotty, and Kallie Crotty; special nieces and nephew Lynn (Bob) Freeman, Dalena (Mike) Koster, and Roger (Donna) Kraft; sisters-in-law Pat Rhodman, Betty Rhodman, Joanne (Jerry) Pitts, Judy Mahler, and Doris Scharton; brothers-in-law Robert (Bev) Mahler, Leroy Mahler, and Herb (Teri) Mahler; many other nieces, nephews, other extended family members and friends.
Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents Kermit and Zora Mae Rhodman; parents-in-law Elmer and Waldina Mahler; sisters Marie (Diedrick) Von Minden and Lucy (Bill) Kraft; brothers Roy (Jeanette) Rhodman, Walt Rhodman, Norman Rhodman, and Elvin Rhodman; special sister Laverne (Lloyd) Kraft; brother-in-law Alden Mahler; nephews Dean Kraft and Bob Von Minden; and nieces Ann Wedekind, Lisa Robison, and Kelly Mahler.
