Marilyn Jean Mechem

Marilyn Jean Mechem

Marilyn Jean Mechem was born on March 21, 1933 in Nevada, Iowa to Roy and Bernice Adams. On March 26, 1950 Marilyn married George “Geody” Mechem in Vermillion, South Dakota. They had two children, Trudy and Larry. Marilyn passed away peacefully on February 15, 2023 at the Hover Community Greenhouses in Longmont, Colorado.

Marilyn grew up in Humboldt, Iowa until 1949. At that time, she and her family moved to Clarion, Iowa, and she graduated from Clarion High School in 1950. 

Marilyn worked part time as a bookkeeper for her father’s farm implement business in Clarion for many years. This left time for her many interests…baking, gardening, entertaining, shopping, playing bridge, and having lunch or coffee with friends.  She also used her bookkeeping skills for handling and tracking monetary donations for the First United Methodist Church in Clarion for nearly 40 years.

Marilyn moved to Longmont, Colorado to be closer to her daughter in October of 2021. 

She was very proud of her three grandchildren: Evin O’Cleary of Maui, Hawaii, Nicole (Kris White) Mechem of Folsom, California, Brian Mechem of Zephr Cove, Nevada, and two great-granddaughters: Maia and Sylvie Mechem-White.

To her grandchildren, Marilyn was larger than life. She was the undefeated champion of all baked goods and was notorious for one-liners that left them in stitches. She gave long, huge hugs and left a pretty red lipstick mark on kissed cheeks.

She is survived by her two children, Trudy (Joe) O’Cleary of Longmont, Colorado, and Larry Mechem of Folsom, California, three grandchildren and two great-granddaughters all mentioned above.

Family and friends are invited to a Celebration of Life to be held at the First United Methodist Church, Clarion, Iowa, on June 3 at 2:00 pm. There will be food and fellowship at the Red Shed in Clarion immediately following the service.