Marilyn K. Talbert

Marilyn Talbert went to her eternal home on July 26, 2025.

Marilyn was born May 22, 1935, to Gifford and Mae Meling. She joined five siblings on their farm in Gilman, Iowa. She always loved talking about growing up on her farm and being a tough farm girl. She felt blessed to have the childhood that she had and loved talking about her days on the farm.

She married Lloyd Talbert on February 29, 1956. They were married for 66 years before his passing in 2022. They were blessed with three kids, Steven, Kathy, and Susan. Marilyn held a variety of jobs, always working to help the family, including selling Fuller Brush with her young family. She later worked for Inspiration Bookstore where she would often take the kids to work with her on special projects. She later started at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, playing the organ for services there. That eventually blossomed into a fulltime bookkeeping career for 43 years, until her retirement at age 84.

She had a love for the outdoors, always enjoying God’s creation wherever their travels would take them, mostly camping and fishing trips in their motorhome, never forgetting their “furry kids”. She loved her family and never let them forget how blessed they truly were in this life, always looking on the bright side of life and staying positive. She would always have a smile for everyone and tried to fix her thoughts on what is good and true and honorable in life. Philippians 4:8.

She played the piano and organ for church while working in various ministry opportunities through the years. She had a love for music and especially the hymns of the church and using her talent to serve. She was an amazing pianist and could sit down and play memorized hymns up until almost the end of her time on this earth. She is now playing the piano again for Lloyd who always enjoyed sitting and listening to her play.

Marilyn is survived by her children, Steve (Jeanette) Talbert, Kathy Witt, and Susan (Les) Glover; grandchildren, Tarica (Allen) Wilkins, Christopher (Megan) Talbert, Chris (Chelsea) Glover, Ben (Gabi) Glover; and great-grandchildren, Bentley, Avery, Conner, Owen, Olive, Murphy, Shiloh, and Mara.

She was preceded in death by her spouse of 66 years, parents, and five siblings.

Services will be held on Saturday, August 2, 2025, at Transformation Nazarene Church (Eastside Church of the Nazarene), 1451 E 25th Street, Des Moines. Visitation will begin at 10:30 a.m., and will be followed by funeral service at 12:00 p.m. There will be a luncheon after the funeral.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be directed to Gideons International in memory of Marilyn.

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