Funeral Services For Marilyn Afrank

Marilyn A. Afrank, 80, of St. Edward, NE, passed away on Thursday, August 10, 2017 at the Cloverlodge Care Center in St. Edward, NE after a struggle with Alzheimers disease.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, August 12, 2017 at the United Methodist Church in St. Edward, NE with Rev. Vern Olson officiating. Interment will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery in Albion, NE. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Friday at the church. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St. Edward Volunteer Fire and Rescue. Levander Funeral Home of Cedar Rapids, NE is in charge of arrangements.

Marilyn was born on September 22, 1936 in St. Edward, Nebraska, to parents, Arthur and Elsie Johnson. Following her graduation from St. Edward High School, she earned her teaching certificate, and taught at country school District 42 near Cedar Rapids, Nebraska. Milford and Marilyn were married at St. Ansgar Lutheran Church in Rosenborg, Nebraska, on June 3, 1956. Marilyn and Milford farmed near Cedar Rapids, Nebraska for 50 years. Marilyn was a full partner to Milford on the farm, where they were inseparably intertwined and true-life partners, down to wearing their matching seed-corn jackets. She loved going to dances with Milford and could often be found “cutting a rug” at area dance halls.

Marilyn was a life-long teacher, instilling in her children and grandchildren the value of education, intellectual curiosity, kindness, and compassion. She was very proud that both of her daughters are doctors, and she loved that her granddaughters continue her legacy of educational success. She thoroughly enjoyed and was very active in the Boone-Nance County Genealogical Society, and researched both her and Milford’s family heritage to predecessors from Denmark and Holland. In 2009, Milford and Marilyn moved to St. Edward, Nebraska after Milford’s ALS diagnosis, and in 2012, Marilyn joined Milford at Cloverlodge, where she enjoyed visiting with family and friends, reading her newspapers, and watching birds out her window.

Everyone remembers Marilyn’s wonderful flower beds, and how much joy she had for her colorful flowers and lawn. Marilyn saw the beauty in everything! Marilyn enjoyed reading articles and learning about new places. Every holiday still includes “Mom’s Potatoes,” her wonderful recipe we all look forward to. Those who knew her well will always remember her sheepish grin and giggles when a joke was told, and her strength and courage for whatever life threw at her. She loved visits from her family, and all remember her face lighting up when she saw you, followed by a huge hug and a “hi honey.”

Marilyn is survived by her daughters: Jo Kinberg and husband Kirk, of Lincoln, NE; Jan Afrank and Darla Zink of Omaha, NE; three granddaughters: Erin Panowicz and husband David of Omaha, NE; Hannah Neuhaus and husband Alex of Kansas City, MO; and Kelsey Kinberg of Omaha, NE; sister: Loreta Olson and husband Roger; sister-in-law: Sharlene Afrank; sister-in-law: Faye Gray; and many beloved nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her husband: Milford Afrank; one sister: Carol Johnson; and her parents.

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