Marilyn R. (State) Amsbaugh

Memorial services for Marilyn Amsbaugh will be held at 10:30 AM, Monday, May 4, 2009 at First United Methodist Church in Clarion, with Pastor Mike Druhl officiating. Inurnment will take place at the Evergreen Cemetery.  

Visitation will be held on Sunday, May 3, 2009 from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at Ewing Funeral Home, 602 North Main Street in Clarion and continue one hour prior to services at the church.

Marilyn Ruth State Amsbaugh was born on October 27, 1934.  She was the fourth of five children blessed to the union of George Guy and Bessie State.  Marilyn was born on the family farm near Galt, Iowa.  She attended country school through the 8th grade and graduated from Clarion High School in 1952.  She immediately began her life pattern of service to others by working at the Clarion Hospital as a nurse’s aid.  In 1958 she was given the opportunity to work at the Clarion Clinic, a place where people saw her welcoming face for over 40 years.

Marilyn married Leroy “Pete” Amsbaugh at the Little Brown Church on December 28, 1960.  They had four children, David Leroy, Duane Robert, Susan Ann and Thomas Lynn. Marilyn was a devoted mother and worked two jobs as a single parent to provide for her kids.

Marilyn had many passions in her life, the common thread always being to serve and enrich the lives of those around her.  She was very selfless and volunteered many countless hours at the nursing home, the hospital, the church, Meals on Wheels and Relay for Life.  Marilyn also gave her life to the Community of Clarion, having won the Outstanding Working Woman of the Year in 1997.  Marilyn’s hobbies included collecting angels and Boyds Bears.

Family meant everything to Marilyn, and she loved spending time with her children, grandchildren and sisters.  She could often be found baking goodies for those she loved.  Marilyn also loved the Lord, and was a long-time member of the Clarion First United Methodist Church.

Marilyn passed away at the Wright Medical Center in Clarion on May 1, 2009, having attained the age of 74 years, 6 months and 4 days.

She was preceded in death by her parents, George Guy and Bessie State, as well as brother Myron and sister Virginia and her son David.

Marilyn is survived by her son Duane and wife Roxy of Des Moines, Iowa, daughter Susan Baer and husband Tom of Malvern, Iowa, son Tom of Dows, Iowa and sisters Darlene Borel and Jean Wilson of Clarion. She also touched the lives of 7 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews and friends.