Marilynn June (Deboer) Loving

Marilynn June (DeBoer) Loving, 88 of Battle Creek, Michigan died peacefully at Glenn Arbor Hospice Residence on Tuesday, June 5, 2018. Marilynn had a debilitating stroke on May 24th and her health quickly deteriorated.

Marilynn was born June 22, 1929 in Alton, Iowa, the daughter of August and Grace (Scholten) DeBoer. She was the youngest of three girls; they grew up on their parents' dairy farm in Northwest Iowa. She often spoke of driving a tractor on the farm and milking cows until her father got milking machines. Marilynn attended a one-room elementary school and was salutatorian of her graduating class. She took secretarial courses at Central College of Pella, Iowa. Marilynn met Jason Zenis Loving at a bowling alley in Primghar, Iowa and married him on August 9, 1950 at the Dutch Reform Church of Alton, Iowa. Marilynn and Jason had three daughters. She was a wonderful mom and homemaker.

Marilynn worked as a librarian's assistant at WK Kellogg Junior High School. At the urging of her husband Jason she went back to college and received a degree in education from Western Michigan University. After moving to Muskegon, Marilynn taught third grade for 20 years in the Muskegon Public Schools prior to her retirement. Marilynn was a terrific teacher and often had former students contact her after they became adults.

The Lovings moved back to Battle Creek from Muskegon after retirement. Jason and Marilynn travelled extensively. They visited Australia and New Zealand twice, the Scandinavian countries, Mexico, Italy, Switzerland, Germany and Ireland and also China. Additionally they drove all over the United States. One of their last trips was a train ride from ocean to ocean across Canada. In later years they wintered in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Marilynn became an avid sports fan after marrying Jason. He was fortunate to marry a woman who enjoyed basketball, baseball, and especially football almost as much as he did.

Marilynn was a hard worker with a can-do attitude. She learned how to knit, crochet, and quilt and often made articles for charity until the last days of her life. Marilynn also volunteered at the hospital and was a member of the Lydia Circle at the Presbyterian Church. Marilynn was incredibly loyal to her husband and family and supported all of them in every endeavor.

Sadly, Marilynn was preceded in death by her husband, Jason on November 25, 2017. Surviving are three daughters, Linda (Paul Janiak) Loving-Janiak of Ft. Worth, TX, Jane (Paul) Hassig of Woodland Hills, CA, Emily (Matt) Buikema of Ceresco, MI; seven grandchildren; four great grandchildren; a sister, Lois TeBrink of Alton, IA and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, Marilynn was also preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Dorothy Furda.

Friends will be received 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Monday, June 11th at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care. Memorial services will be officiated by Rev. Pat Weatherwax at First Presbyterian Church at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 12, 2018. Committal and inurnment will be held 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 13, 2018 at Fort Custer National Cemetery. Personal messages for the family may be placed here at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.