Marilyn Graham, 72, of Casey, Ill., died on Jan. 7, 2014, at her home at the age.
She was a retired registered nurse and beloved mother. Her many family and friends were not ready to say goodbye and will miss her greatly.
Marilyn was born on Aug. 5, 1941, in Casey, Ill., the daughter of William H. and Lena Callahan Graham. She was the eighth of 10 children.
She got a certificate in secretarial school and spent her young adulthood raising her children, Theresa, Laura and Mathew. Family meant everything to her.
After her children were grown she continued her education and obtained her LPN and Registered Nursing Degrees. She worked at Birchwood Nursing Home in Casey, before moving to Wisconsin to be with her daughter Laura and granddaughter Stasia.
In Wisconsin she worked at Fairhaven Nursing Home. After Stasia graduated from college, she yearned for her hometown and moved back to Casey to retire.
Marilyn led a full and active life frequently visiting her daughters in Montana and Wisconsin. She became quite the traveler and was very adventurous.
She snowmobiled in Yellowstone and snorkeled in the Bahamas. She visited Yellowstone National Park many times while in Montana with her daughter Theresa and grandchildren Phillip and Ashley Hollowell. She loved the National Parks and had been to many throughout the United States with her family.
She also enjoyed activities closer to home, gardening, playing cards and spending time with family and friends. She loved dogs especially her Bubba and Snowball.
She is survived by brothers, Gerry of Nacogdoches, Texas, John (Lynda) of Martinsville, Ill.; sisters, Sister Mary Regina of Springfield, Ill., Wilma Delp of Pensacola, Fla., Jenny Harned of Oregon; children, Tim and Teri Hollowell of Bozeman, Mont., Laura of Whitewater, and Matt Leohr of Sullivan, Ind.; grandchildren, Stasia Wilson of Madison, and Ashley Hollowell of Bozeman, Mont., and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended family.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, William, Robert and James; sister, Mary; sisters-in-law, Suzie and Sue; brother-in-law, Paul Harned and grandson, Phillip Hollowell.
Funeral services will be held at 6 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 13, at the First Christian Church, 200 SE Eighth St., Casey, Ill., with the Rev. Jan Harris officiating. Burial will be at the Hazel Dell North Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. prior to the services at the church Monday.
The family request memorial donations to the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, 9000 W. Wisconsin Avenue, Wauwatosa, WI 53226 or Riley Hospital for Children, 705 Riley Hospital Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46202.
Markwell Funeral Home of Casey is in charge of the arrangements.
To view the full obituary, send a condolence message, light a candle or post photos, visit www.markwellfuneralhome.com.
