due to her Myeloma Cancer coming back. She was born on Oct 13, 1935 in Leon, Iowa; to Clarence and Hazel McKern. Marilyn’s childhood must have been magical because I have never met anyone that thought they had a better life! She was truly blessed. Marilyn graduated with an associate degree from NWMSU in Maryville, MO. She married the love of her life, Loren Bench in 1960 and they moved to Kansas City, MO in 1961 when Loren’s job with Proctor & Gamble; Folger’s Coffee relocated them. She was an amazing School Teacher because she loved little kids and animals too. Later due to her hard work she became the Principal for a private Day school. Marilyn and Loren then had 2 children Debbie and Dan Bench. They were also the loves of her life. Marilyn wanted to do anything fun and was always up for an adventure. When the kids were growing up, they went camping a lot with their best friends Richard and Lorrene Peters and their kids, who were the same ages. It was amazing, wonderful times and later in life Richard & Lorrene and Loren & Marilyn bought homes next to each other in Pinellas Park, FL., where they continued the good times!
Marilyn loved her gardens and to watch things grow and become beautiful. She adored her home and had an amazing collection of Nutcrackers and Fairies. She was kind, creative, funny, feisty, hardheaded and delightful. She fiercely loved her Grandson, Evan and Granddaughter, Maddie. By their grandkids they were known as Mimi and Papa; they would put on skits with the kids for fun and anything that was loud or uproarious Mimi was usually the instigator, not the children! Marilyn always encouraged Debbie and Dan to go after their dreams and do whatever was going to make them happy or be with whom ever was going bring them joy and laughter. She was always ready for fun, whether it was going to garage sales, thrift stores or shopping anywhere, really lol. She was passionate about life in general and living it to the fullest.
Marilyn is survived by her loving Husband, Loran H. Bench, Daughter Debbie Buck, Son Dan Bench and her 2 Grandchildren Evan and Maddie Bench.
A celebration of life for Marilyn will be held Saturday, May 4, 2024 from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM at White Chapel Funeral Home, 6600 NE Antioch Rd., Gladstone, Missouri 64119, followed by a visitation and reception from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM.
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