Marilyn L. Nachtsheim, nee Noyes, 90, formerly of Mt. Prospect, passed away peacefully Tuesday, March 29, 2016. Marilyn was born October 8, 1925 in Chicago to parents Walter and Leona Noyes. Beloved wife of the late Richard for 48 years. Loving mother of Robert and William, daughters-in-law Donna and Sherri Nachtsheim. Cherished Grandmother of Peter (Maureen) Nachtsheim, Brenda (Kenny) Goeking, Tracey (Jon) Leopold, Courtney, James, Michael, and Hannah Nachtsheim. Proud Great Grandmother of Grant Nachtsheim and Palmer Goeking. Dear sister of the late Ronald (Pat) Noyes. Fond Aunt and Cousin of many.
Marilyn was first and foremost a selfless and kind wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her life was focused on bringing joy to others, whether it be family, friends, neighbors, Sunday School classes of young people or outreach to senior citizens in need. She had the amazing ability to create friendships with most everyone who crossed her path. Almost to a fault, Marilyn always focused on a person’s good-side and would inevitably win them over with her genuine kindness and caring.
Marilyn was the first child of Walter and Leona, on the north side of Chicago. She and her brother Ron had a life-long sibling bond that any parent would cherish. Marilyn graduated from Senn High School in Chicago and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in home economics at Iowa State University, besides being crowned a campus beauty queen. After serving her internship at Cook County Hospital, she was a dietician at Passavant Hospital. It was there that she met a Northwestern Law School student working as a waiter – her soon-to-be husband Dick. They married in 1951 and had 48 glorious years together. Most of those years were spent in their modest ranch house in Mount Prospect where they raised their two sons, Robert and William. They joined St. Paul Lutheran Church and became active members volunteering to spread the Gospel and help others at every opportunity.
After Dick’s passing in 2000, Marilyn began to encounter an increasing number of health challenges and gave up her house of 53 years to move to The Lutheran Home in Arlington Heights in 2010. There she made new friends, while maintaining relationships with her cherished friends from past decades. In these final years her greatest joys were seeing her seven grandchildren grow into adulthood, and the blessing of two, and soon to be three, great-grandchildren. Even on her worst days, the mere mention of these family members brought a smile that emanated from her boundless love for each one.
Visitation Sunday 12:30 PM until Funeral Services 3:30 PM at The Lutheran Home For the Aged, 800 W. Oakton St., Arlington Heights, IL 60004. Private family interment will follow Monday.
In lieu of flowers donations to St. Paul Lutheran Church, 100 S. School St., Mt. Prospect, IL 60056 or The Lutheran Home, 800 W. Oakton St., Arlington Heights, IL 60004 are appreciated.