Marilyn J. Edwards

Marilyn J. Edwards, 88, passed away at her Ellensburg home on Thursday, August 1, 2024. Family and friends are invited to celebrate her life with an informal potluck style gathering from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 17, 2024 at the American Legion in Ellensburg. 

Marilyn was born on July 11, 1936 in Logan, Indiana to George & Jennetta (Clark) Anthony. Her family moved to Ellensburg when she was less than a year old. She would call Kittitas County home for the rest of her life, attending Ellensburg schools through high school, graduating with the class of 1956. The night of graduation, Bob Edwards proposed marriage and they were married the first time on August 18, 1956. Together they raised four children - Tom, Don, Laurie and Debbie - on their Fairview Road ranch and later on Naneum. 

At some point in 1999, they discovered a unique error in their marriage certificate…they had not signed the license on file. Erring on the side of caution, their daughter quickly lined them up with Judge Sparks ‘to make it legal’ (so to speak) on January 7, 2000. Laurie was her mom’s maid of honor and, this time, every box was checked and the bride and groom signed their marriage certificate. In 2006, they had a large 50th Anniversary party and this was always a story they loved to share over the next twenty years. 

Marilyn's life was a testament to her strength and dedication. She worked tirelessly as a mother, ranch wife, friend and caregiver. When the kids were all in school, Marilyn found a career she loved in dining services at Central Washington University. She loved working with the students and her coworkers who became longtime friends in their retirement years. Retiring at 55 gave Marilyn precious time with the grandkids, creating unforgettable memories and adventures including camping, fishing and boating. Marilyn went to Alaska when grandson Daniel was born and again when granddaughter Nicole arrived. Bob joined her a few years later for an Alaskan vacation to remember. Marilyn and Bob also enjoyed their timeshare condo in Maui treating each of their kids’ and grandkids to join them over the years. 

Marilyn was a longtime member of the Ellensburg Moose Lodge #494 and she served in a number of leadership positions over the years. She was also an active volunteer with the Moose Lodge’s events for the kids and community. Being a long time member of the Fairview Hall Grange, she helped with the annual Christmas party and other gatherings at the hall. She was also active with kids’ 4-H projects at county fair and did lots of traveling to high school rodeos throughout the state. 

Marilyn was an active member of Kittitas County Cattlewomen and Cowbells clubs. She also enjoyed attending Kiwanis BINGO. She played in the city league pool tournaments and has the trophies to show for it. Her siblings met each month for lunch and fun at Legends Casino where Marilyn always seemed to be the winner. Other activities included building jigsaw puzzles, playing pinochle with friends and countless hands of gin rummy and cribbage with Bob either at the dining room table, camping or in the pool to keep cool. A deck of cards was always at hand. Marilyn played her last hand of Five Card Draw with Laurie a few weeks ago and won. 

Marilyn was blessed with an abundance of talents and skills and was always ready to take on the next creative challenge. Her evenings were filled with sewing, crocheting, knitting, and hand-tooling leather, creating beautiful gifts for her loved ones. She found joy in China painting and weaving pine needle baskets with friends, and her skillful seamstress hands crafted the trademark red and white vests worn by the entire Singing Hills Choir. Marilyn's legacy lives on through the special baby blankets she crocheted and her homemade caramel corn and 21+ rum balls will always be remembered at the local bazaars. Marilyn made Bob’s favorite western pearl snap shirts as well as many clothes for her children and grandkids over the years. 

Marilyn is survived by her children Tom Edwards of Nevada, Don (Denise) Edwards of Texas and Laurie (Marty) Haberman of Ellensburg; sister Virgia Sliger of Kennewick; grandchildren Cassandra Edwards, Chandler (Katie) Edwards, Daniel Edwards, Nicole (Brandon) Highsmith, Bobby (Kristin) Haberman and Kyndra (Jimmy) Smith; and great grandchildren Braxton, Mason, Kayson, Weston, Everly, Shelby, Lilli and Autumn; and surrogate family Jim, Julie, Jeanna and Tessa Ridgway. Marilyn was preceded in death by her husband, Bob; daughter, Debbie; her parents and seven siblings. 

Marilyn and Bob will be laid to rest next to their daughter Debbie, in a private family ceremony at the IOOF Cemetery.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Johnston & Williams of Ellensburg. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.johnston-williams.com