Marilyn Jean ( Stoddard) Waterman, the daughter of Lyle and Kathryn (Manthey) Stoddard was born July 15, 1934, in Estherville, Iowa. Marilyn passed away on Saturday, June 18, 2016, at Sanford Hospice Cottages in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, at the age of 81.

She graduated form Estherville High School in 1952. After graduation, she worked in the bookkeeping department for Iowa Trust and Savings Bank until 1956.

On February 20, 1955, Marilyn was united in marriage to Roscoe Howard Waterman at the First United Methodist Church in Estherville. Following their marriage, the couple made their home in Estherville. In 1972, Marilyn began working as church secretary for the United Methodist Church remaining there until the fall of 1981. At that time she began working for her daughter and son-in-law, at Estherville Printing Company as bookkeeper and did production work until retirement in 1996. She enjoyed being involved with her family, working on family genealogy and reading.

Marilyn was an active member of the United Methodist Church. She taught Sunday school, Bible School, and served on the church council a number of times as well as various church committees and circles. She was also a member of John W. Bradford VFW Post #3388 Auxiliary.

Left to cherish Marilyn's memory are her children, Kevin (Sandra) Waterman of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Diane Lavender of Estherville; son-in-law, Ronald Leffel of Estherville; seven grandchildren, Benjamin and Robert Lavender; Mary Kathryn (Luke) Peterson; Phillip Leffel; Michael and Matthew Waterman; Elizabeth (Michael) Magnuson; step-grandson, Daniel Lavender; sister, Barbara (Martin) Balmer of Merrill, Iowa; and also eighteen great grandchildren as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceding Marilyn in death are her parents; husband, Roscoe in 2001; daughter, Karen Leffel in 2008; son-in-law, Rick Lavender in 2015; granddaughter-in-law, Jessica Strong Lavender in 2011; and step-grandson, Scott Lavender in 2013.