Marilyn Kay Sweeney

Marilyn Kay Sweeney was born September 1, 1952 at the John McDonald Hospital in Monticello, Iowa to Paul M. and C. Marie Martensen. She passed away peacefully at the Taylor House Hospice facility on Wednesday, September 4, 2013 after a long and courageous battle with Multiple System Atrophy with her husband and son at her side.

Marilyn was baptized and confirmed at St. Matthews Lutheran Church in Monticello. The first 10 years of her life were spent living on the Martensen farm 6 miles south of Monticello. In March 1963, the Martensen’s and dog Mitzi moved into town. After graduating from high school in Monticello, Marilyn attended UNI and graduated in 1974 with honors and a major in music education. She received the Purple and Old Gold Award for Conspicuous Achievement in Music. The following two years, she taught music at the Rudd, Rockford, and Marble Rock Community Schools. On February 11, 1977, she married Peter M. Apel of Rudd, Iowa at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in Monticello. They were divorced in February, 1981. He survives. On June 14, 1986, she married Kevin E. Sweeney of Dubuque at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Dubuque, Iowa. He survives. In 1993, Marilyn received an accounting degree from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa. On August 13, 1997, a beautiful and much wanted son was born, Jeremy Jacob-Edward Sweeney.

In addition to her husband and son, Marilyn is survived by her best, almost life-long friend, Roberta Johnson; her sister, Janice Woodroffe; numerous sisters and brothers in law; Maddie (her Miniature American Eskimo dog); her aunt, Ella Bohlken of Foley, Alabama; and several nieces and nephews.

In May of 1999, the Sweeney’s moved to West Des Moines where the family still resides. Marilyn was a substitute teacher for the elementary vocal music teachers at Westridge Elementary in West Des Moines. She loved her families, good friends, her dogs - Mitzi, Fluffer, Sasha, and Maddie; traveling, baking, playing cards, Jeremy's extended families, music, and most recently, volunteering at the Lutheran Church of Hope. In lieu of flowers, she would like memorials to be used for the education of Jeremy.

Marilyn’s family wishes to extend their thanks to the care givers of Caring Hearts Home Care, the nurses and aids at Taylor House, and Kevin’s sister, Kathy, for the wonderful care they provided to Marilyn and to the family. There is a special place in heaven for these individual.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 5, 2013 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines. The funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m. Friday, September 6 at Lutheran Church of Hope, 925 Jordan Creek Parkway in West Des Moines. Burial will be on Saturday, September 7, in Monticello, Iowa with a service at 11:00 a.m. at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Monticello.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

Print