Marilyn Mae Rehnstrom

     Marilyn was born in Des Moines, IA to Lawrence (Larry) and Wilberta (Billie) Dannenberg and spent her younger years in Storm Lake, IA.  After graduating from Storm Lake High School, she attended college in Rockford, IL and then completed her teaching degree at the Iowa Teachers College, Cedar Falls, IA.  She taught one year at the Waverly, IA High School.  Shortly thereafter, she met her future husband and love of her life, Donald A. Rehnstrom.

     Marilyn & Don were married in Storm Lake on April 7, 1955.  They moved to the Rehnstrom family farm in Linn Grove where they raised 4 children. She substitute taught English at Sioux Valley schools and gave piano lessons while her children were growing up.  She and Don were both active at the Riverside Presbyterian Church in Linn Grove and later attended Grace United Methodist Church in Spencer, IA.

     In 1980 they moved to Spencer, IA where she substitute taught in the Spencer School System, and she was involved with the Quilters Group, teaching quilting classes and was involved with Arts on Grand.

     Marilyn was an avid quilter and was always working on a new one.  She loved showing her quilts when someone came to her home and many have been blessed by one.  Her gardens were also her pride and joy – she had meticulous gardens – she would spend hours working to make sure all the weeds were gone.  When she wasn’t quilting or working in the garden she was knitting.  She loved to travel and was able to go on many trips with friends and her companion, Dennis Van Vickle.

     Marilyn was the mom who drove the kids to school when the weather was bad and then spent many years at ballparks across the country and at home watching her kids and grandkids play baseball, football, softball, volleyball and track. She and Don went on many trips, including a 10-day major league baseball road trip and saw games from Chicago to the east coast.  She and Dennis watched the Vikings and the Twins faithfully, along with old westerns.

     Earlier in life she was an oil painter, and the family has some of her paintings.  She loved digging into family history on both sides of her family and she had great memories she has shared.

     Marilyn was a member of PEO chapters GJ and KF and belonged to several bridge clubs in Linn Grove and Spencer.

     Marilyn enjoyed spending time with her 3 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.  She said, “that’s why you have kids when you are young”.  She loved every minute she was with them.

     Those left to cherish her memory include her children, Anne of Urbandale, IA; Mark & Monica Rehnstrom of Sioux Rapids, IA and Jay & Bucky Rehnstrom of Spencer, IA.  Grandchildren Kyle & Mallory Rehnstrom of Spencer, IA; Alex Rehnstrom of Oklahoma City, OK and Grace & Adam Lunde of Davenport, IA,  Her 4 great-grandchildren Cooper Donald, Landon Steven & Tucker Matthew Rehnstrom of Spencer, IA and Annie Grace Lunde of Davenport, IA, a sister Linda Wade of Tucson, AZ and her loving companion of many years, Dennis Van Vickle.  

     Marilyn was preceded in death by her husband, Don Rehnstrom; parents Larry & Billie Dannenberg; Art & Ethel Rehnstrom; brother Jon Dannenberg and son Steven Rehnstrom.

     Marilyn will be forever missed by her nieces and nephews as well as great nieces and nephews and 3 cousins, along with many Rehnstrom family members and friends.  They will all treasure the many memories they have of Marilyn.

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