Marilyn Nell Cooper was born to George J. and Rosetta (Wilhelms) Wilken on July 4, 1930 at rural
Bruning
,
Nebraska
. She departed this life on March 22, 2012, at St. Elizabeth's
Medical
Center
in
Lincoln
,
Nebraska
, at the age of 81 years, 8 months and 18 days. As an infant she was baptized by Rev. John Cronek at
Trinity
Lutheran
Church
in Bruning. Through affirmation she renewed her baptismal vows at confirmation on May 28, 1944, at
Grace
Lutheran
Church
in
Hebron
with Pastor O. W. Reeg officiating. Marilyn loved music and from the age of 4 had a great ear for music. After lessons from Prof. Redloff & Prof. Magnus Paysen, she was church organist at
Grace
Lutheran
Church
for 6 years. She taught Sunday school and summer
Bible
School
classes at Grace. She also taught rudiments of early piano/organ training to many students and was especially happy when they became church organists or pianists. She began her education at Jackson School, east of Hebron, growing up at McFarland's Ranch, and after the family moved to town in 1943, she graduated from Hebron High School in 1948. During High School she was an accompanist for chorus and president for cheerleaders. Marilyn was one of the first employees at
Thayer
County
Memorial
Hospital
when the doors opened in October of 1948, and put forth every effort to learn more about hospital work during the time she was a nurse aide. After completing a business course in
Lincoln
, she became the bride of Robert E. Cooper on July 30, 1950 at
Grace
Lutheran
Church
in
Hebron
with Rev. O. Reeg officiating. Their sermon text was the 121
st
Psalm, "I will lift my eyes to the hills, from whence cometh my help." The couple first lived in
Superior
and later
Hebron
where their first gift from God, Janice Faye, was born. After a year in
Belleville
,
KS
, they moved back to
Hebron
where their second gift from God, Rebecca Lynn, was born. Marilyn worked at Blue Valley Lutheran Home as nurse aide for a short time, and then again at
Thayer
County
Memorial
Hospital
, where she worked as receptionist, medical records clerk and bookkeeper. Later, at the hospital, built in 1968, she became more involved and was chosen as administrator from 1974 until 1988. After organizational changes, she was administrator of
Union
Co.
General
Hospital
in
Clayton
,
NM
for four years. On retirement, she and Bob moved back to
Hebron
. She worked part time as a member of the Deshler Rustler staff. She was a member of
Grace
Lutheran
Church
, at the time of her death served as secretary of Grace Lutheran Women, and was substitute organist at First Presbyterian Church. During her active career, she was appointed by the governor to the State Certificate of Need Board, was highly active in the formation of the Thayer County Memorial Hospital Foundation and the hospital's Physical Therapy Dept., reorganization of the Hospital Guild, and the building of a Physicians Clinic. She was a member of the Clayton (NM) rotary club, Chamber of Commerce and numerous Medical Fair Boards. Her main interests were in keeping her husband, children and grandchildren happy and well fed, but above all, loved! She especially maintained a close relationship with nieces, nephews, other relatives and close friends, and liked to express her love for them through her poetry. She was preceded in death by her parents, George J. and Rosetta A. (Wilken); her brothers, Donovan George, John Dean and Rex
Arnold
Wilken; and sisters, Del Margarite Bowman and Ella Ramona "Toots" Witter. Marilyn leaves with deep affection her daughters, Janice (James) Buller and Rebecca Strothkamp, both of
Hebron
; grandchildren, Stacey (James)O'Neal, Ryan (Jacque)Buller, and Amber (Jesse) West; great-grandchildren: Dylan O'Neal, Spencer O'Neal, Hallie Buller and Ryker West; many other relatives and friends.
Following Marilyn's wishes she was cremated. Memorial services were held on Monday, March 26, 2012 at
Grace
Lutheran
Church
in
Hebron
at 11:00 AM with Pastor Keith Brozek officiating. Memorials go to
Grace
Lutheran
Church
,
Hebron
. Price Funeral Home of Hebron was entrusted with these arrangements.
