Marilyn Larson

Marilyn Larson, age 92, a longtime resident of Windsor Park in Carol Stream, Illinois, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on Saturday, January 31, 2026.

Marilyn was born on December 19, 1933, in Chicago, Illinois, to Fredrick and Marian Geurkink. During her childhood, her family lived in Pease, Minnesota; Baldwin, Wisconsin; and Grand Rapids, Michigan, before settling in Wheaton, Illinois. There, Marilyn attended Wheaton Academy, where she met her future husband, Lynwood Larson. The two became affectionately known as "Lyn and Lynn." Marilyn went on to graduate with honors from Wheaton College in 1955 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education. She and Lynwood were married that same spring.

Marilyn began her professional life as a kindergarten teacher in Washington, D.C., while Lynwood was stationed there with the United States Army. After moving to Hinsdale and starting their family, she devoted herself wholeheartedly to her roles as mother and homemaker. During these years, she also gave generously of her time to Hinsdale Covenant Church, where she was active in the prayer shawl and Stephen ministries, taught in the church nursery school, and served as a parish visitor.

As her children grew older, Marilyn returned to the workforce, joining Dryden Press as a proofreader and later serving as a coordinator for ancillary materials. She also worked as an ESL tutor (English as a Second Language) for students who were new to the country. Later still, she followed a calling to become a licensed massage therapist, working with clinical psychologists in private practice as well as with individual clients. She retired from massage therapy in the late 1990s to devote increased care to her mother and to spend more time with her husband.

Marilyn and Lynwood shared a deep love of travel. They went camping with their family all around the country, and had a special fondness for Juniper Springs in Florida, where they spent many spring vacations. Their adventures also took them around the world with friends and family. They especially treasured visiting the countries of their forebears-Sweden and Holland-as well as traveling throughout Europe, Southeast Asia, Peru, and China. Their final trip together was with their church community to the Holy Land of Israel.

Gentle and kind, Marilyn was beloved by her family and many friends. Her deep spirituality and compassion shone through in the way she lived and in the loving connections she shared, including her many years as an active member of a close-knit group of women from church known as the "Seekers," who met together for religious study and fellowship. Marilyn delighted in the world of art and enjoyed many creative hobbies throughout her life. She also found comfort and joy in the natural world, often taking walks through Morton Arboretum with friends to admire the trees and flowers through the changing seasons. Marilyn gave unconditional love to her children and grandchildren, who lovingly knew her as "Mimi." She was also a devoted partner to Lynwood throughout their seven decades of marriage. In more recent years, she became a cherished resident of the Windsor Retirement Community.

Marilyn was also well known for her sweet soprano voice. She sang in a trio in college and in choirs throughout most of her life. While she enjoyed a wide variety of music, she was especially fond of the hymns of her youth. In her later years, even as much of her memory faded, Marilyn continued to sing with great joy-remembering most of the lyrics and always on pitch. She will forever sing in the hearts of all who knew her.

Marilyn is survived by her husband of 70 years, Lynwood; her children, Karin (Doug Erickson), Scott (Sylvia), and Todd; and her grandchildren, Erik and Nathaniel, Mia and Zoe, and Iona and Aiden.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and her brothers, Rev. Vernon (the late Patricia) Geurkink, Wendell (Connie) Geurkink, and David (the late Mary) Geurkink.

A visitation will be held at Hinsdale Covenant Church, 412 S. Garfield Ave., Hinsdale, IL on Saturday, March 21, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the memorial service at 11:00 a.m. The family invites you to a light luncheon following the service. A private burial will take place at Ridgewood Memorial Park in Des Plaines, Illinois.

Memorial gifts may be directed to Hinsdale Covenant Church or the Benevolent Care Fund at Covenant Living at Windsor Park.