Marilyn Hoepner

Ardis Marilyn Hoepner, known to her friends and family as Marilyn, was born on October 29, 1928 to Sam and Opal Thompson in Macksburg, Iowa. Her childhood was spent playing with her siblings and helping out on the family farm. Marilyn married her high school sweetheart, Ernest William Hoepner, on April 6, 1947 and they remained together until his passing 72 years later. They had 4 children, 22 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren.
Marilyn and Ernie loved going two-stepping at their local night club or gathering friends together for backyard BBQ parties. They also enjoyed going on family vacations, camping trips, and RV trips with their extended family and friends.
While raising a family of four, Marilyn occasionally worked part-time as a waitress, babysitter, and seamstress, stepping up to support her family whenever needed. She also loved to sew clothes for herself and her children in her spare time.
Marilyn loved to play card games and wanted to play every chance she got. She taught all her children and grandchildren to play and spent every family gathering rallying everyone together for a game. She also loved to cook. Her family often said that "she could cook a stick and it would taste good." One of her favorite meals to cook was chicken and homemade noodles.
Marilyn is survived by her loving children: Ron and wife Elizabeth, Ellen, Karen and husband Vince, and David and wife Lana. Marilyn was a cherished grandmother to: Elizabeth Lee and husband Chris, Cara, Kelly and husband Greg, Amanda and husband Daniel, Nikki and husband Ryan, Brent and wife Heidi, Kaitlin and husband Scott, Carly and husband John, Garret, Kimberly and husband Corey, Grant and fiancée Brittany, and Casey and wife Josie. She also leaves behind a legacy of 12 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren.
Marilyn passed away peacefully on June 10, 2024, in Kyle, Texas surrounded by family. Those who knew her will remember her as a caring and feisty woman who would do anything for the ones she loved. Her dry sense of humor, signature "stink eye", and loving gestures will be deeply missed.