Marilyn Jo Brownell

Marilyn Brownell, 79, passed away at Taylor House Hospice on Thursday, July 30, 2026. She was born on April 21, 1947 in Des Moines, Iowa, to Gerald Sr. and Patricia Erickson.

They say food is the way to the heart, and Marilyn certainly believed that. She showed her love through the meals she prepared for family and friends. More often than not, she could be found in the kitchen, and those who knew her often joked that she cooked enough to feed the entire neighborhood. While she loved preparing food, it was the fellowship around the table that meant the most to her.

Marilyn found joy in life’s simple, everyday moments. She was meticulous in all that she did and even took pleasure in tasks many people dreaded (like washing dishes and folding laundry) especially if it meant helping someone else.

Her faith was the foundation of her life. She was actively involved in many church groups, and it was through her church community that she experienced what she considered one of God’s greatest blessings: meeting the love of her life, Dennis, at a church retreat.

Marilyn is lovingly remembered by her devoted husband, Dennis; her daughters, Crystal (Bill) Venhaus and Mandy (Jake) Koehn; her stepdaughters, Shannon Lovett, Stephanie (Lance) Moler, Emily Brownell, and Jessica (Chris) Culpepper; her grandchildren, Rochelle (Colby) Foster, Samantha (Costner) Ching, Jonah Koehn, AJ Venhaus, and Carli Venhaus; her step-grandchildren, Ashley Brackett, Angelika Rose, Austin Jeffries, Ava Culpepper, Addisyn Culpepper, and Jack Moler; her great-grandchildren, Calee Foster and Bridger Foster; her step-great-grandchildren, Abigail Wheeler, Lilly Brackett, Liam Jeffries, Hadley Jeffries, and Kayden Jeffries; her brother, David Erickson; her sister, Adrianne Morrison; and many other cherished relatives and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Gerald Sr. and Patricia Erickson; her sister, Nancy Knight; her brother, Gary Erickson; her beloved four-legged companion Cocoa Jo and many beloved family members and friends who undoubtedly welcomed her home. What a joyful reunion that must have been!

Family will greet guests on Thursday, August 6, 2026 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Ave., Des Moines. A Mass of Christian burial will take place on Friday, August 7, 2026 at 10:00 a.m., at All Saints Catholic Church, 650 NE 52nd Ave., Des Moines, Iowa.

Marilyn will be laid to rest at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery, 1 NE 60th Ave., Des Moines, Iowa.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the family in loving memory of Marilyn.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.hamiltonsfuneralhome.com

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