Marilyn Ruth Beimer

Marilyn Ruth Beimer, 91, of Burlington passed away Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, at Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House in West Burlington.

She was born March 5, 1933, in Fort Madison, the daughter of Joseph A. and Dorothy M. (Stolwyk) Peterschmidt. On Feb. 13, 1954, she married Leon J. Beimer in Fort Madison. They later divorced.

Marilyn attended Catholic Central High School in Fort Madison, graduating in 1951.

During high school she worked at Bishop's Cafeteria in Fort Madison.

Throughout the early years of her marriage and until the birth of her first daughter, she assisted in the IBM department at the Sheaffer Pen Company in Fort Madison.

Marilyn was a homemaker until the 1970's. Then she entered the workforce serving over 25 years as an administrative insurance assistant to Metropolitan Life, State Farm, and Allstate agents in Burlington.

She was proud to be licensed and serve in the industry. In addition, she worked for several years as a coordinator for the Area Agency On Aging in Burlington, assisting in the development of programs and services.

After retirement, Marilyn assisted for over 10 years at Young House Family Services, initially as a part-time employee through a senior training program, then later as a volunteer. She was proud to be recognized in 2017 as Volunteer of the Year.

Marilyn enjoyed roller skating in her youth and as an adult, but she loved to walk, especially in Crapo Park. She often hiked five miles a day until age 90.

She participated in many annual Susan G. Komen Walks in Dallas, Texas, and Bridge Walks in Burlington. She enjoyed music, beginning piano lessons at age 60. She sewed her entire life, proudly creating matching dresses for her four daughters each holiday and Barbie clothes from the scraps.

Marilyn also discovered quilting, mastering many patterns and techniques. A morning crossword puzzle and pages read in an evening book "kept her mind sharp."

Survivors include three daughters, Susan (Ron) Beer and Annette (John) Bybee, all of Burlington, and Carol (Joseph) Remick of Hillsboro; six grandchildren, Jennifer (Dustin) Becker, Stacy (Brad) Brown, Spenser (Amber) Remick, Morgan (Benjamin) Fry, Carson (Hope) Remick, Isaac Eigner-Bybee; and 14 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are two brothers, John (Maryrose) Peterschmidt of Muscatine, Daniel (Linda) Peterschmidt of Brandon, Florida; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Linda Reed; two sisters, Rose Marie Peterschmidt and Joann Wolfe; and brother Ted Peterschmidt.

Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Prugh Crematory.

The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11, at Prugh Funeral Service, 3940 Division Street, Burlington.

The memorial service for Marilyn will be 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11, at Prugh Funeral Service, 3940 Division Street, Burlington, with Pastor Dean Graber Officiating.

Memorials have been established for The Burlington Public Library and Friends of Burlington Parks and Recreation Endowment Fund.