Marilyn Curnyn

Marilyn Curnyn, 73, of Denison, died Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2007, at Crawford County Memorial Hospital.

Marilyn Rose Burke Curnyn was born May 1, 1933, in Cleveland, Ohio. She was the second of four daughters born to Rose Chambers and Thomas Burke. She died Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2007, at the Crawford County Memorial Hospital in Denison, Iowa at the age of seventy-three.

Marilyn was baptized at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Cleveland. At the age of four, Marilyn moved with her family to Tucson, Arizona. She received her education at St. Peter and Paul's Catholic School and graduated from Tucson High School with the class of 1951. She continued her education at St. Mary's School of Nursing, receiving a nursing degree in 1954.

On May 1, 1954, Marilyn's twenty-first birthday, she was united in marriage to Joseph Phillip Curnyn. In 1955, when Joe completed his duty with the United States Air Force, the couple made their home in Denison, Iowa, where she remained until the time of her death. Marilyn and Joe were blessed with the birth of six children, whom they raised in the realm of the St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church.

Marilyn began her nursing career at the Crawford County Memorial Hospital. She later went to work at the office of Dr. J.L. Flood. Marilyn also worked at the Saunder's Nursing Home and was the school nurse for Midwestern Community College in Denison. She was the Crawford County Public Health Nurse for many years. In 1983, Marilyn and Joe along with their son, Tom, owned and operated the Pastimes Food and Spirit. Shortly after JP's passing on October 14, 1994, Marilyn and Tom sold the family business.

In Marilyn's spare time, she enjoyed redoing antiques. She loved making crafts and enjoyed sewing. She also loved reading her books, a warm fire and a good garage sale. Anyone entering Marilyn's home was always welcomed with a smile and an offer of a plate of food. When the children were at home, her supper meals were always planned for ten people as two additional kids were bound to show up. Throughout the years, you could find Marilyn on the sidelines cheering on the kids and grandkids at their various sports activities. She will always be remembered for her beautiful voice singing from the balcony of the church or while dancing an Irish jig.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, Tom and Rose Burke, her husband, JP Curnyn, her sister, Mary Patricia Robertson, three brothers-in-law, Robert Scott, Fred Robertson and William (Bill) Curnyn. Survivors include her six children, Tom; Mike and his wife, Heather, all of Denison; Mary of Lewistown, Montana; Pat and his wife, Melinda of Parkville, Missouri; Colleen and her husband, Rod Farley of Winner, South Dakota; Tim of Las Vegas, Nevada; twelve grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Also her two sisters, Rose Ann Scott and Kathleen Burke, both of Tucson, Arizona; three brothers-in-law, Paul Curnyn and his wife, Lucy; Bob Curnyn and his wife, Katie, all of Denison; Jim Curnyn and his wife, Kathy of Omaha, Nebraska; a sister-in-law, Marita Curnyn of Fort Worth, Texas; many other relatives and friends.

Mass of Christian Burial was held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 13, 2007 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Denison. Celebrant of the Mass was Fr. Paul Kelly with Fr. Lloyd White and Fr. Andrew Hoffmann serving as Concelebrants. Interment was at the St. Rose of Lima Catholic Cemetery in Denison. Organist Jean Cornelius provided the organ accompaniment for the St. Rose of Lima Choir. Judy Broderson served as Lector and Dylan and Casy Curnyn served as Gift Bearers. Other participants of the Mass included Victor Paz, Lexi Houston, Monica Bohm, Jacob Heiden, and Andi Hansen. Those serving as Honorary Pallbearers were the St. Rose of Lima Choir, Pat and Lois Houston, Joe and Helen White, Helen Malloy, Verta Mae VonTersch, Dr. J.L. and Jane Flood, Elroy and Barb Koch, and Eileen Heiden. Those serving as pallbearers were Gene VonTersch, Tim Houston, Jay Heiden, Pat Brosnahan, Nick Hansen, and Jim Flood. Special friends named In Memoriam were Ace and Audry Hansen, Glen Heiden, Max and Mary Kay Jones, Pete Malloy, Ed and Jean Brosnahan, and Eugene VonTersch. Friday evening prayer services included a Legion of Mary Rosary at 4:30 p.m., and a Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m., at the St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. The family invited everyone in attendance to join them for fellowship and lunch served by the St. Rose of Lima Altar Society. The Huebner Funeral Home in Denison was in charge of the arrangements.