Marilyn Grote, age 84 of Wall Lake, IA, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 20, 2021, at Twilight Acres in Wall Lake. Marilyn Mae Campbell was born on November 1, 1936, in Vail, IA, to parents William and Elsie (Koenck) Campbell.
She attended country school in the Wall Lake area, where she and her three siblings grew up. Marilyn graduated from Wall Lake High School as Salutatorian in 1955. On June 7, 1956, Marilyn married the love of her life, Arnold Alfred Grote in Arcadia, IA. The couple lived in Dow City where Marilyn worked as a bookkeeper for Father Cain. Later, they
would retire to Denison and then resided in Wall Lake for the last ten years. Marilyn enjoyed being outside in her yard tending to flowers and her garden. She especially liked watching and feeding all of the beautiful birds. She was an avid reader all of her life.
She and Arnie took many trips to Branson over the years which they both always looked forward to. Another favorite place Marilyn liked traveling to was Texas because it meant getting to see and spend time with her niece, Debbie and her family. Marilyn was a wonderful wife, sister, aunt, and friend who will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.
She is survived by her devoted husband of 65 years, Arnie Grote of Wall Lake, IA; sister Sharon Richardson of Lake City, IA; brothers and sisters-in-law: Cheryl Campbell of Boyer, IA, Lois Grote of Wall Lake, IA, Mike Grote of Wall Lake, IA, Luella (Bob) Wilwerding of Defiance, IA, Walt (Kathy) Grote of Wall Lake, IA, and Sharon Grote of Fonda, IA; numerous nieces and nephews; other extended family members and friends.
Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Elsie Campbell; brothers Bill “Soup” Campbell and Roger Campbell; parents-in-law Anton and Loretta Grote; sister-in-law Mary Ann (Jim) Meister; and brothers-in-law Tony Grote and Leo Grote.
Services will be held on Tuesday, October 26, 2021, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wall Lake, IA, with Father Joe Dillinger and Deacon Butch Stone officiating. Burial will be in the Wall Lake Cemetery in Wall Lake under the direction of Farber & Otteman Funeral Home of Wall Lake. Visitation will be held from 5-7pm on Monday at the church with rosary to follow at 7pm. Farber & Otteman Funeral Home of Wall Lake is in charge of arrangements.