Marilyn Kaye Bridgford

Marilyn was born in Mount Pleasant, Iowa on October 13, 1941 to Warren and Marlene Davis Pierce. She attended country schools in rural Lucas County and graduated from Chariton High School in 1960. Marilyn was also very close to her step father, Dale Stevenson, whom she treasured very much. She was married to Clayton Pierschbacher on September 30, 1962 at the First United Methodist Church in Chariton. They were blessed with three children: Clifton, Marla, and John. Marilyn loved raising her children and helping Clayton on the farm. She earned her teaching degree in elementary education from Drake University and student taught at Van Allen. When Clayton passed away suddenly in 1977 Marilyn began her career as a Farm Bureau agent, eventually becoming the Lucas County Agency manager. She enjoyed this time helping others and was a very successful agent. She met Ronald Bridgford during this time and they were married on July 4, 1984. She welcomed Ron's children: Shari, Deb, Paul, Mary, Anna, and Lora. Marilyn's next career was "The Elite Shop", which she really loved. She had an impeccable sense of style and enjoyed going to the clothing markets and helping others look great. Her...[more]

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eatest love was raising her children and working at the farm. She worked in her yard for countless hours and loved planting perennials. At home she also spent many hours out on the mule spraying brush and thistles. During the winter she made hundreds of quilts for newborns, graduations, and new homes. Marilyn enjoyed the fine details of making a quilt just right with exact corners and even stitching. Marilyn was a great cook. She made the absolute best chocolate chip cookies that hundreds of people have tasted. She made cookies for John's friends growing up and loved to make them for visitations. She made great family meals and often talked of the lunches she made for everyone working at the farm. Some of the family had a special liking for her chicken and dumplings, but everything was a treat. Marilyn volunteered countless hours to her community; at fund raisers, her church (the beef burger luncheon), the nursing home, Northridge Assisted Living, and especially enjoyed working with the extension council. She gave of herself to many and loved to take care of people, but found it hard to let others take care of her. Marilyn passed away May 22, 2014 at the age of 72 years. She was preceded in death by her husbands: Clayton in 1977 and Ron in 2011. Surviving are her mother Marlene Stevenson; children: Clifton Pierschbacher, Marla (Shawn) Kelly and their daughter Alexandra, and John Pierschbacher; brothers: John (Joy) Pierce and Jerry Stevenson; and bonus children: Shari (Jerry) Fitzgerald, Deb Bridgford Fuller, Paul (Susan) Bridgford, Mary (Tim Foltz) Walker, Anna (Brian) Lampe, and Lora (Zane) Yates and their families. Also surviving are many cousins, relatives, and friends.