Marilyn N. Herny

March 9, 1929 - April 15, 2019

Marilyn N. Herny, 90, of Leighton, Iowa, passed away peacefully Monday, April 15, 2019, at the Oskaloosa Care Center with her loving family by her side. Born March 9, 1929, in Barnes City, Iowa, she was the daughter of John Arthur and Ethel (Tharp), Kool. Marilyn grew up on the family farm near Cedar, Iowa. She graduated from the Cedar Consolidated School in 1946. She attended Central College in Pella earning her teacher’s certificate. She taught at Summit Elementary School near Otley, Iowa. Marilyn married the love-of-her-life, John Philip Herny, on June 1, 1954. They were true partners who shared a passion for farming and raising purebred livestock. Marilyn was a talented seamstress, canned her own fruits and vegetables from her garden, was a good cook who loved chocolate, and was excellent at refinishing furniture and woodwork. She was a strong businesswoman, kept meticulous personal and corporate records, and was also a skilled operator of farming equipment. Marilyn was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She was involved in the Central United Methodist Church, Rural Farm Family, the Mahaska County Historical Society, Mahaska County Farm Bureau, and 4-H. Special appreciation is extended to the staff members at Oskaloosa Care Center for their loving care throughout the final years of her life. Her family includes her children: David Herny of Oskaloosa, Susan Lee (Michael) of Joliet IL, Mark Herny of Cedar Rapids, Diane Gordy (Greg) of Oskaloosa, and Lisa Van Rheenen (Steve) of Oskaloosa; grandchildren: Brett (Lindsey) Herny of Oskaloosa, Michael Lee, Jr. (Lindsey) of Morris IL, Christina Wolfer (Michael) of Joliet IL, Melissa Lee of Chicago IL, Nathan, Ashley, and Luke Herny of Cedar Rapids, Tyler James Smith (Lisa) of Austin TX, Stephanie Christy (Logan) Kansas City MO, and Sarah Smith and Shannon Van Rheenen of Oskaloosa; great-grandchildren: Blake, Brody, and Boston Herny of Oskaloosa, Savannah and Andrew Herny of Cedar Rapids, Grayson T Lee of Morris IL, Gabriella Rose Wolfer of Joliet IL, Wally Smith of Austin TX and Rylen Monteagudo of Staten Island NY. She is also survived by her brother, Russell Kool of Cedar Falls IA, brother-in-law, Bud Carlson of Bettendorf IA, and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Marilyn was preceded in death by her husband, John Philip Herny and her sister, Marcia Carlson. Funeral Services for Marilyn will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, April 20th, at the Central United Methodist Church with Rev. Bruce Wittern officiating. As was her wish, cremation will follow the service and burial will be held privately in Forest Cemetery. The family will greet visitors from 9 a.m. to service time at Central United Methodist on Saturday morning. Instead of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Central United Methodist Church in Oskaloosa.