Marilyn Kay (Heier) Caldwell, 81, of Grinnell, died Monday, June 21,
2021. She was born November 22, 1939, in Oakley, KS, to Vince and Ferne
(Beckman) Dickman.
Marilyn graduated high school in 1956, from Sacred Heart Academy, in
Wichita, KS. She then attended Marymount College, in Salina, KS, where
she received a Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education, in 1960. Later,
in 1980, Marilyn obtained a Master’s Degree, in Elementary Education,
from Fort Hays State University. She taught at Bethune Colorado Public
High School and then Grinnell Middle School for 25 years, before
retiring in 1999.
On June 15, 1961, Marilyn married Linus Heier and to this union five
children were born. Linus passed away on December 31, 1999. On June 18,
2005, Marilyn and Roger Caldwell were united in marriage.
Marilyn spent her spare time gardening, sewing, knitting, baking, and
traveling. She enjoyed attending and presenting at several spiritual
retreats. Marilyn could visit with anyone, even those she just met. She
loved attending her grandchildren’s events and treasured spending time
with her family and friends.
Marilyn was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, in
Grinnell, where she taught high school religion classes and was part of
St. Mary’s Altar Society. She was also a member of Delta Kappa Gamma,
the National Alliance on Mental Health, KNEA, NEA, and was a nominee for
the Kansas Teacher of the Year.
Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents; husband Linus, and son-in-law Ray Shaheen.
She is survived by her husband Roger, of Grinnell; children, Donita
Bozarth, Gardner, KS, Michael (Tonya) Heier, Humbolt, IA, Bev (Kevin)
Birney, Bucklin, KS, Christy “Pete” Shaheen, of Manhattan, KS and Larry
Heier, of Grinnell, KS; 11 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; her
sister Karen (Tom) Mense, Grinnell, KS; and sisters-in-law, Dolores
(Leroy) Katt, Grainfield, KS, Jean Heier, Grinnell, KS, & Anastasia
“Daisy” Fellhoelter, Wichita, KS.
Visitation is 5:00-7:00 p.m. Sunday, June 27, 2021, at the Immaculate
Conception Parish Center, Grinnell, KS with a Vigil at 7:00 p.m. Funeral
Mass is 11:15 a.m. Monday, June 28, 2021, at the Immaculate Conception
Catholic Church, Grinnell, with burial in the Immaculate Conception
Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to the Immaculate Conception Church, Grinnell or St. Paul’s Church, Angelus and may be sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 204, Oakley, KS 67701. For information or condolences visit www.baalmannmortuary.com