Marilyn June Minkler, firstborn daughter of Melvin & Fern (Sojandler) Kellogg, was born June 19, 1928 in Courtland, Kansas and passed away February 7, 2015 at the Phillips County Retirement Center in Phillipsburg, Kansas at the age of 86.
On December 27, 1944, at the age of 16, she was united in marriage to David Milburn Minkler in Phillipsburg, Kansas. This union was blessed with five children: Terry L'Dean, Gerald, Wallace, James and Adina.
Marilyn worked on the family farm and cared for her family. In addition to her husband and children, her "family" also included anyone who needed help, a place to sleep, or a meal; she never turned anyone away.
She was raised in the depression era and lived through the dust bowls of Kansas. Marilyn never claimed to be wealthy, but always stated she was "rich." Though she never earned a paycheck by selling eggs and milk, money when needed could be found hidden between the pages of her favorite cookbook or in a jar on the top shelf of a kitchen cupboard.
Marilyn loved music of any kind, singing each morning as she carried out her chores. She made clothes for many years for her children and grandchildren. Marilyn & Milburn both enjoyed quilting as a pastime. She had many other hobbies including going to auctions, working puzzles, painting and poetry, but her passion was researching her heritage and lineage. She assembled and saved a photo journal of her ancestry so she would be able to pass this knowledge on to her family.
Marilyn never had a driver's license but loved to drive a good pair of horses. Of course in her younger years it was a way of life; in her later years it was a pleasant pastime.
Survivors include her husband, Milburn, of Phillipsburg; four sons: Terry & wife Lucille of Tyro, KS, Gerald & wife Peggy of Phillipsburg, KS, Wallace & wife Trina of Hays, KS and James & wife Stacey of Phillipsburg, KS; her daughter, Adina Brown & husband Charlie of Neosho, MO; her sister-in-law, Floy Nelson of Iola, KS; 16 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and 8 great-great-grandchildren.
Marilyn never spent any time in a hospital except to give birth until April of 2013. She has fought a valiant fight and is now at peace in the arms of her Lord, to whom she was very familiar and always faithful.

Graveside services will be held Tues, Feb. 10 at 2:00 p.m. in the Cedar Cemetery, Cedar, with Pastor LeRoy Herder officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Phillips County Retirement Center.

Visitation will be from noon to 9:00 Monday at the funeral home with the family receiving friends from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.