Marilyn Bear

Marilyn Bear, 84, of Mount Ayr, formerly of Diagonal, passed away Dec. 20. A graveside service for Marilyn will be held in the Diagonal Cemetery, followed by a time to celebrate her life, tentatively scheduled for spring 2023.

Memorials are to the Diagonal Development Corporation. Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr is in charge of the arrangements.

Marilyn Leona was born Dec. 17, 1938, the daughter of Elmer Alexander and Verna Grace (Fine) Starmer, at home, in Union County.

Marilyn grew up and attended Diagonal High School, graduating with the class of 1957. Following graduation, Marilyn went to beauty school in Des Moines.

On Jan. 10, 1958, Marilyn was united in marriage to Mark Richard “Rich” Richardson at the Methodist Church in Diagonal. To this union three children were born: Terri, Lori and Chris.

Marilyn will always be remembered as a loving wife, mom and grandmother. She was a hard worker who cared for and looked after her family. She raised a big garden and cooked wonderful meals for all.

She was active in the Methodist Church and was a member of the Methodist Circle. Marilyn loved crafting, painting and decorating for every holiday, especially Christmas. Marilyn and Rich enjoyed being part of a card party group. The family enjoyed their annual family vacation traveling and camping around the U.S. and Canada.

Marilyn began working in the health care profession as an aide but eventually, Dr Mitchell saw potential in Marilyn, and she trained to be a surgical assistant. She helped out in all capacities of surgery and was there to help deliver her three grandsons: Nathan, Cody and Wes.

Rich passed away on March 6, 1993.

Marilyn married Gary Ray Bear May 16, 1998, in Diagonal. Gary passed away on Feb. 9, 2007.

In May 2016, Marilyn entered Mount Ayr Health Care Center, where she enjoyed fellowship and received care.

She was preceded in death by her parents, both husbands, in-laws, son-in-law Mickey Austin, grandson Wesley Cooper, brother Eldon Starmer, nephew Chad Starmer, niece Brenda Meyers, sister-in-law Nadine Bales and brother-in-law Gary McCullough.

Those left to cherish and share her memory include her children and their families: Terri Austin of Cassville, Missouri, Nathan (Kim) Austin and their children Dylan and Emilee; Cody (Jenny) Austin and their children Cylas, Waylon and Lucy; Lori Richardson of Olathe, Kansas; Chris (Wendy) Richardson of Cherokee and their children Tyler and Taylor; sister Merrill McCullough; sisters-in-law Linda Starmer, Mary Ellen (Gerald) Piland and Glee Toney; brother-in-law Ray (Deloris) Bear; many nieces and nephews.