Marilyn K. Gridley (neé Greenfield)

March 8, 1948 - December 15, 2013

Marilyn Kay Gridley, age 65, of Villisca, Iowa, passed away unexpectedly at her home on Sunday, December 15, 2013.

Marilyn was born March 8, 1948, in Clarinda, Iowa, the daughter of Murl and Reva (Cooney) Greenfield. She was raised on a farm north of Villisca, graduating from Villisca High School in 1966. She also graduated from Americana School of Cosmetology in Des Moines.

Marilyn was united in marriage to Alan Gridley on September 7, 1968, in Villisca. Two daughters were born to this union, Trudy and Mindy. Marilyn and Alan lived many years north of Villisca. Marilyn was a beautician from 1968 until 1971 and then became a full time mother raising her daughters.

Marilyn enjoyed many years of caring, not only for her family, but for many other people as well. She loved people and enjoyed making everyone feel special. Marilyn loved the outdoors, was very creative, enjoyed decorating, and loved spending time with her family, especially her two grandsons. She was also a long time member of the Villisca United Methodist Church. Marilyn moved into Villisca in 2002.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her brother, Richard Greenfield; and her sister, Marcella Reser. Survivors include her daughters, Trudy Swenson and husband Steve of Villisca and Mindy Gridley-Laycock and husband Rob of Aurora, Colorado; her lifelong companion: Alan Gridley of Villisca; her grandsons, Cole Swenson of Villisca and Jackson Gridley of Aurora; numerous nieces and nephews including Lisa Gunderman and husband Jean-Francois Huppe of Canada and Kennon Gunderman and wife Katie of Minnesota; many other relatives and numerous friends.

Funeral services were held on Friday, December 20, 2013, at the Villisca United Methodist Church with Pastor Gordon Scott officiating. Burial was in the Villisca Cemetery. Visitation with the family was on Thursday, December 19, 2013, at the Villisca United Methodist Church. A memorial fund is being established in Marilyn’s name.

Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel of Red Oak, Iowa, was in charge of arrangements.

This obituary appeared on the website of Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel of Red Oak, Iowa.