Marilyn P. Wilson

Marilyn P. Wilson, 90, of Grand Island, died December 3, 2018, at Lakeview Care and Rehabilitation Center with her husband at her side. Memorial service will be 11 AM Thursday, December 6, 2018 at Trinity United Methodist Church with Pastor Dave Clark officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Private burial will be at Central City Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Stuhr Museum, the Nebraska State Fair Volunteers, Tabitha Hospice, or to the family for later designation.



Marilyn Phyllis Kuhlman was born August 15, 1928, at Grand Island to Charles D. and Ann H. (Willman) Kuhlman of Chapman, NE. In 1929 the family moved to a farm near Clarks, NE, where Marilyn later attended grade school at District 25. She graduated from Grand Island High School in 1945 and attended the University of Nebraska College of Agriculture, School of Home Economics. For two years following her graduation in 1949, she was a human nutrition research assistant at the University.



On August 26, 1950, Marilyn and John F. "Jack" Wilson were united in marriage at Lincoln, Nebraska. They became parents of John A. in 1955 and James B. in 1958. Both boys followed in their grandfather Wilson's professional footsteps as Extension Educators: John in Burt County, Nebraska, where he and Patty reside near Craig surrounded by tall-grass prairie, trees, a pond, and lots of wildlife; and Jim in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, where he and Gerry enjoy their rural home with views of the mountains. Jim proved that you don't get the farm out of the boy by haying his and neighbor’s ground each summer.



In June of 1951 the Wilsons moved to a farm near Red Cloud, Nebraska, and in 1954 to an irrigated farm near Clarks. In both communities, in addition to being a homemaker, Marilyn was a 4-H club leader for over 25 years, a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, the Lady Lions, the ABC Club, the Young Moderns Club and several other women's organizations. She was active with the Clarks United Methodist Church, including choir and developing an outstanding mission program.



While serving 12 years as secretary of the Merrick County Fair Board, she enjoyed the opportunity to seek out many Merrick County families to receive the Ak-Sar-Ben Pioneer Farm Family Awards. She and Jack also received the Pioneer Farm Family Award as well as the Ak-Sar-Ben Good Neighbor Award.



Family history was her passion, which extended beyond her own ancestry to correlating genealogical information on Hall County families for Stuhr Museum, where she had been a volunteer since 1992. Volunteer work was her joy, helping others in any way she could, especially through youth work, mission work and hospice. Others recognized their contributions as Marilyn and Jack received the Third City Sertoma’s “Service to Mankind Award” and the Grand Island Independent’s “Extraordinary People Award.”



After moving to Grand Island in 2010 she found other areas of volunteer work. She received a “Nebraska Volunteer Award” in 2018, recognizing 300 volunteer hours at the Nebraska State Fair. Other areas of volunteer work were at the Heartland Events Center and at the city greenhouse (when health permitted) while continuing her research at Stuhr Museum. While residing at the Regency Retirement Residence, she became known as the "Tree Lady" by seasonally decorating the foyer tree six times a year to the delight of residents and visitors.

In addition to helping people through volunteering, Marilyn placed a high value on education and the importance of helping students continue their studies. She personally funded scholarships in Hall, Merrick and Webster counties that have awarded almost $16,000 to 57 graduating seniors from those three counties. She and Jack also funded over $14,000 in scholarships to 14 students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.



She is survived by her husband: Jack of 68 years; sons: John (Patty) Wilson of Craig, NE, Jim (Gerry) Wilson of Coeur d’ Alene, ID; four step grandchildren and spouses; 11 step great-grandchildren; one step great-great-grandchild; and many friends.



Preceding her in death were her parents and a brother and sister-in-law, Norman and Lillian Kuhlman.