Marilyn Ann Schornack

Marilyn Ann Schornack passed away on November 28, 2020, due to complications of Covid 19. She was 89 years young. Marilyn was born in Groton, SD, on September 19,1931 to Vance and Gertrude Miller. She attended Groton High School and then trained to be a teacher at Macalester College in St. Paul, MN. After graduation, she taught Kindergarten in Brookings, SD.

On June 15, 1952 Marilyn married her high school sweetheart Allen Schornack. Their courtship began when they were 15 years old. They were married in their early 20’s and shared 68 years together. They lived in several states in the Midwest - Ohio, Colorado, Nebraska, Illinois and finally Des Moines, IA. Marilyn and Al loved adventure and traveled throughout the United States and abroad. Her favorite trip was visiting Australia, Fiji and New Zealand. Simply put, they shared a lifetime of love, laughter, faith, and family together…the unassuming yet profound values that mattered most to Marilyn.

Marilyn loved family and children. She was a stay-at-home mother to her three children when they were young and later returned to teaching at Montessori Children’s House in West Des Moines, retiring after 17 years. Gatherings in their home or at their beloved lake cabin were always full of good food, laughter, games, and storytelling. As the family expanded, her heart expanded to make room for each and every one. She delighted in each grandchild’s way and knew and loved each of them uniquely. Nothing brought a twinkle to Marilyn’s eye like a child. She loved them as a teacher, a friend, a mother, a grandmother, and a great grandmother.

An active member of Windsor Heights Lutheran Church for 57 years, Marilyn taught Sunday School, Bible School, sang in the choir and was active in many women's groups. She was always a willing participant in church projects and activities. Marilyn loved being a greeter on Sunday mornings with Al, welcoming people by name and sharing a smile or caring word.

A member of the PEO Sisterhood, she helped form four new chapters and held most of the offices within her PEO Chapters. As she and Al moved from state to state, PEO provided a constant opportunity to meet new friends.

She is survived by her husband, Allen (Don) Schornack; daughters, Marcia (Gerry) Lourens and Jan (David) Rothrock; son, Kent (Nancy) Schornack; 8 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild.

Memorials may be made to Windsor Heights Lutheran Church or PEO Continuing Education Fund.