Marilyn E. Wester

Marilyn E. Wester, a longtime Stewartville, MN resident, passed away peacefully on Friday (October 18, 2024) at St. Charles Assisted Living in St. Charles, MN, where she had been a resident since January of this year.

Marilyn Emma Junko was born on September 1st, 1941, to Richard and Angie (Thompson) Junko and grew up in Spillville, IA. After graduating in 1959 from Calmar High School, Marilyn attended American Business Institute in Cedar Rapids graduating in 1962.  Marilyn moved to Des Moines, IA and was employed by Polk County Courthouse as a court reporter. While working, she met a handsome young court bailiff, Norman Timmons, and they were married in 1963. The next year, Marilyn and Norm welcomed their daughter Kelly. Tragically, in August of 1966 Norm passed away and their daughter, Kris, was born two months later. They continued living in West Des Moines (Windsor Heights) until Marilyn moved with her girls to Stewartville, MN in 1969 to be closer to family.

Marilyn began working at Tom Healy Law Office in Stewartville in 1972. There she met her second husband, Donald Wester, and the two married in 1975. Through this marriage, she gained two bonus sons, Kevin and Mark, and a daughter, Shelly. Marilyn continued working for the law office and then began working at IBM before retiring in 1991. In her “retirement” Marilyn worked again as a court transcriber/reporter for Rice Court Reporting in Rochester. Marilyn took loving care of Don until he passed away in May 2013. She was a longtime active member at St. Bernards Catholic Church in Stewartville, where she helped with faith formation and its Ladies activities. Marilyn enjoyed rummage sales, reading, sewing, knitting, chatting with friends, and spending time with “the kids.”

Marilyn’s family wants to thank the wonderful staff at St. Charles Assisted Living and Seasons Hospice for their unending support, love, and quality care. 

Marilyn is survived by her children, Kelly Thomson (Bill) of Rochester, Kris Reed (Bill) of Puyallup, WA, Kevin Wester (Pam) of Stewartville, Mark (Lori) Wester of Kettle River, MN and her son-in-law, Thomas Codd II of Dallas,TX. She leaves behind 11 grandchildren; Sarah Thomson (Chris Von Rueden), Anna Thomson, Joseph Reed, William Reed, Ava Reed, Wehi Reed, Dan Wester, Adam Wester, Nick Wester (Heather), Nolan Wester (Cassie), Marlene Wester, Thomas Codd III, Kevin Codd, Michael Codd, and Kaitlin Codd, and two great grandchildren; Axel and Milia. She is also survived by her siblings, Judy Stoltenberg, David Junko (Mary), and Donna Elsbernd (Ray) and sisters-in-law Rita Timmons, Marlene Timmons, Doris Caldwell, Elaine Harkins and many nieces and nephews.

Marilyn is proceeded in death by her husbands Norman Timmons and Donald Wester, her daughter Shelly Codd, her parents and her sister-in-laws Karen Campbell and Nancy Wester, brothers-in law Tommy Timmons, George (Skip) Timmons, Kenneth Timmons, Clarence Stoltenberg, Arden Caldwell, Milan Harkins, and Dale Wester.

A memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday (October 24, 2024) at St Bernards Catholic Church in Stewartville with Rev. Kevin Connolly officiating. A time of visitation for family and friends will be held one hour prior to the service. Burial of ashes alongside her husband, Norman, will be held later at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Des Moines. The family suggests memorials to St, Charles Assisted Living Resident Activities Fund, Seasons Hospice or Channel One Foodbank. Arrangements are with Griffin-Gray Funeral Home  in Stewartville. Condolences and memories of Marilyn are welcome at www.griffin-gray.com

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