Marilyn Elizabeth White

Marilyn Elizabeth White, 97, of Peterson passed away peacefully on March 31, 2025 at St. Luke Lutheran Home. Marilyn was born in Sibley, Iowa to Irvin and Kathleen (Nichols) Eddy on March 19, 1928.

Marilyn grew up in Sibley until graduating from Sibley High School in 1946. Marilyn moved to Ruthven for three years after marriage then moved to Peterson ever since 1958. After high school, Marilyn attended The College of St. Catherine’s in St. Paul, Minnesota for two years. Marilyn continued her education at Creighton in Nebraska, graduating in 1950 in sociology and psychology. After Creighton, Marilyn attended one year of graduate school for social work at Denver University. During the summers of 1948 and 1949 in between schooling, she was a waitress in Glacier National Park in Montana. Marilyn married Robert “Bob” White on September 3, 1955 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Spencer.

After school, Marilyn helped set up child welfare office for the State of Iowa in Spencer in 1950 and “retired” from social work in 1956 to stay home and raise her children until going to work for Midwest Children’s Home located south of Peterson, Iowa for nine years from 1984 until retiring again in 1993.

Marilyn was a 4H volunteer for 40 years and was instrumental in starting the Poultry and Rabbit Departments. She also served on the committee for several years on both departments. She volunteered at the Clay County Fair for 42 years enjoying the conversations with many of the fair goers. Marilyn was a member of the Peterson American Legion Auxiliary for over 50 years. She was also a board member of the Department of Human Services for 20 years and serving as Board Chair for 10 years. She was also a member of the Seasons Board for six years. She was active member of St. Louis Catholic Church. She enjoyed being with family and several family trips. She was very proud of her Irish Heritage.

Marilyn is preceded in death by her parents; her husband Bob; a son Shawn; her sister Charlotte Pomerenke; her brother, Ralph Eddy; and son-in-law, Steve Drew.

Left to cherish her memory are her children Chuck of Spencer, Iowa, Kevin of Peterson, Kathleen (Bruce) Baumgarn of Huxley, Iowa and Kara Drew of Eagan, S.D.; grandchildren Robert, Sarah, Andrew, Annette, Patrick, Brandon, Rebecca, Elizabeth, Nicholas, Kaitlyn, and Kendra; eight great grandchildren and many family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Clay County 4H Poultry Department, 1515 W 18th Street, Spencer, IA 51301 or Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 1111 4th Ave W, Spencer, IA 51301.