Marilyn L. Bielema, 83, of Prophetstown, IL, died Thursday, November 17, 2022, at Genesis Medical Center in Silvis, IL.
Marilyn was born June 30, 1939, in Sterling, IL, to Wayne and Beulah (Upton) Morse. She was educated in the Spring Hill Grade School and was a 1957 graduate of Erie High School in Erie, IL. She then attended Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, IA. On July 1, 1960, she married Arnold “Arnie” D. Bielema in Erie. Marilyn taught second and third grade for two years at Fenton Grade School in Fenton, IL. She was then the Director of Morrison Community Day Care in Morrison, IL, for 25 years. She was a member of Leon United Methodist Church in Prophetstown. She was a Board member and President of the Prophetstown School Board and had served as Commissioner for the Prophetstown Park District. Marilyn was a breast cancer survivor and was passionate about supporting breast cancer research and awareness. She stood as an Honorary Co-chair for the 2010 Annual Komen Ozark Race for the Cure, and was also awarded the Champion in Women’s Health Award, by the Wisconsin Women’s Health Foundation. Marilyn’s greatest joy in life was spending time with her family. She especially enjoyed times cooking with her grandchildren.
Survivors include her husband of 62 years, Arnie; daughter, Brandi (Shannon) Cooper of Lyndon, IL; sons, Bart (Kris) Bielema of Lyndon, Barry Bielema of Morrison, and Bret (Jen) Bielema of Champaign, IL; nine grandchildren, Christian (Diego Casas) Cooper, Garrett Cooper, Schuyler (Gabrielle) Bielema, Hanna Bielema, Griffen Bielema, Brooke Bielema, Lauren Bielema, Briella Bielema, and Brexli Bielema; special friends, Linda Atherton of Prophetstown, and Donna Reisenbigler of Austin, TX.
She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Betsy Lynn Bielema.
Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m., Monday, November 21, 2022, at Leon United Methodist Church in Prophetstown, IL, officiated by Rev. Peter Kicheon Ahn.
A Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., Sunday, November 20, 2022, at the Bosma-Gibson Funeral Home in Prophetstown, IL.
Interment will be in the Leon Cemetery, Prophetstown, IL.
Memorials to Prophetstown Park District and Leon United Methodist Church have been established.