Marilyn R. Stecker

Marilyn R. Stecker (nee Kuehner), born October 20, 1943 in Chicago, Illinois at rest March 17, 2022 in Oak Lawn, Illinois. Beloved wife of the late John C. Devoted mother of Diane (David) Kindinger, Victoria (Thomas) Flisk, Karyn Pondel. And the late Jennifer. Cherished grandmother of Katie (Thomas) Fisher, Jessica Gaver, Lily Doyle, David Kindinger Jr. Annabelle Flisk, Thomas Flisk III, Haley (Matthew) Smith, Michael Pondel, and David Pondel. Loving great-grandmother of Dean, Myles and Eden. Dear sister of Carl (Judith) Kuehner, Robert (Kimberly) Kuehner and the late John (the late Karlene) Kuehner.

Marilyn grew up with her family on 64th and Hamlin. If you knew her, you know that family was the center of her life. She was a savant in terms of not only remembering important people, dates, and places, but also anecdotes and details. Marilyn was a person who loved deeply and showed it with everything she did and instilled that in her children and grandchildren.

When she was 20, she met John and their 50 year love story began. They did it all together and with their daughters: snowmobiling excursions in Wisconsin, European vacations, California road trips in the Chevy sedan, and frequent trips to Virginia Beach. They also bought their home in Alsip and truly bloomed as a family. Their house became the central hub for our entire family. No matter where they were, they were happy as long as they were together.

Marilyn saw the beauty and pleasure in all places. She came alive when she was arranging her spring flower planters, hunting for Hummels, or helping put the finishing touches on anyone's home. Better than any HGTV show out there, she had impeccable taste. She knew how to make a house feel like a home. Marilyn knew where the best thrift stores were and loved to walk up and down every aisle searching for the best trinkets. She was thrifty in all areas, too. She'd say "why would you throw away that old ice cream container when it could make a perfectly good leftover container?"

Marilyn was many things to many people. She loved being a wife, mom, grandmother, and friend. She believed life was about showing up for the people you love and that connection meant everything. When you were with her, you felt like the flowers at the first glimpse of sunlight after a long winter, illuminated. She would be happy we're all together and celebrating her in her favorite way: getting together and sharing stories.

Visitation Thursday, March 24th, at the Becvar & Son Funeral Home, 5539 West 127th Street, Crestwood, from 3:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. Lying-in-state Friday, March 25th, from 9:00 A.M. until time of service, 10:00 A.M. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 7800 W. McCarthy Road, Palos Heights. Interment private. In lieu of flowers, donations to Luther Springs Camp (264 Vause Lake Road, Hawthorne, Florida 32640. 727-415-0887) at www.luthersprings.org would be appreciated.