Marilyn Kiefer

Marilyn Kiefer passed away at the Juneau Pioneer Home, Juneau, Alaska, in the early morning of July 31, 2017, surrounded by her daughters and their spouses. She died as a result of complications from Alzheimer's disease. She was in the tender care of the loving staff at the Juneau Pioneer Home.
Marilyn was born on a country farm near Eyota, ninth of 10 children. She attended a two-room schoolhouse in Viola and later a school in Eyota. Her family were tenant farmers and moved from farm to farm when she was a child. Eventually Marilyn, along with her family, moved to Rochester in 1950.
Marilyn graduated high school in Rochester in 1952. She was active in 4-H. She loved the outdoors and was a great help to her mom in the kitchen. While attending Rochester Junior College, she met Richard Kiefer, who was freshly out of service in Korea with the U.S. Navy.
Marilyn and Richard married in 1955 and started a family. Marilyn and Rick moved from Rochester to Albuquerque, N.M., to Seattle and eventually made their way to Juneau, Alaska, in 1971.
Marilyn worked around the medical field all her life. From her time at the diet kitchen at Mayo Clinic, to working at a doctor's office in Albuquerque, to director of medical records at Bartlett Memorial Hospital in Juneau, Marilyn was the consummate caregiver.
Marilyn's joy in life was her family. Marilyn was the primary caregiver of her husband, who suffered from multiple sclerosis for over 30 years, until his death in 2005. She loved her many siblings beyond measure. She deeply cherished her three children and their spouses. She unapologetically loved and spoiled her two grandchildren. Seeing her three great-grandchildren brought big smiles. Marilyn was a joyful Christian. Her love was a direct result of her love for Christ. Up until Alzheimer's took her from us, Marilyn read the Bible daily and faithfully journaled her thoughts and prayers. Marilyn had many friends, associates and outlaws she considered part of her extended family.
Marilyn is survived by her brothers, Darry Ernst, of Voorhees, N.J., and Burt Ernst, of Deer Park, Wash.; her sister-in-law, Midge Ernst (Layton), of Eyota; son, Scott (Sherry Simpson), of Mimbres, N.M.; daughters, Kim (Pat McLear), of Juneau, and Kari (Pat Monagle), of Juneau; granddaughter, Katie Polis (Matt), of Clarkston, Wash., and their children, Maximilian, Carmela and Felicity; and grandson, Travis Monagle, of Seattle.
Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, Lloyd and Christine Wangsness-Ernst; husband, Rick Kiefer (May 28, 2005); brothers and sisters-in-law, Raymond (Dora Hair) Ernst, Dr. Leonard (Eleanor Madsen) Ernst, Dr. Robert Ernst and Layton Ernst; sisters and brothers-in-law, Florence Lee (Ernest), Delores Grieff (John), and Arleen Whitcomb (Walt); and sisters-in-law, Annie Ernst and Nona Ernst.
A celebration of her life will be held 1 p.m. Friday, Aug. 25, at the Shrine of St. Therese, Juneau, Alaska. Interment of Marilyn's (and husband, Rick's) ashes will follow the memorial service at the Shrine Columbarium (depending on weather, please bring an umbrella). A reception will be held at the Shrine Lodge for all who can stay and share stories.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Resources of Alaska, 3225 Hospital Drive, Suite 101, Juneau, AK 99801, or to the Pioneer Home Foundation, P.O. Box 34341, Juneau, AK 99803.