Marilyn Baudler, 70, of Fontanelle

Funeral Services: Will be held on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Fontanelle with burial in the Fontanelle Cemetery. Pastor Tim Hummel will officiate the service. A luncheon will be held at the church following the burial. The Lamb Funeral Home in Fontanelle is in charge of the professional arrangements. Online condolences may be left to the family at www.lambfuneralhomes.com.

Open Visitation: Will be held at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Fontanelle on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Family Visitation: The family will greet friends on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Fontanelle from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Memorials: To the Marilyn Baudler Memorial Fund to be established by the family at a later date.

Marilyn Lavon Baudler was born on March 13, 1956 to Louis Ernest Baudler and Betty Louise (Christensen) Baudler in Greenfield, IA, at the Adair County Memorial Hospital. She was a premature baby and life-flighted to Des Moines for life-saving procedures. With her mental and physical disabilities, the doctors said Marilyn wouldn’t live past age 7; instead, she defied all odds and blessed those around her for 70+ years.

From a young age, Marilyn loved people. Finding enjoyment in going to school with her peers gave her the opportunity to learn to write and develop an extensive vocabulary. She looked forward to anyone who stopped by the house for coffee and treats; you could find Marilyn at her table spot listening to every conversation and throwing out a few words or getting into a little mischief. She had her own sense of humor that was shared with others freely, especially at holidays with all the family members.

Miss Marilyn had fond memories growing up on the farm north of Fontanelle. Her favorite animal was a Border Collie named Susie that followed her everywhere. Marilyn played in the houseyard, picked up sticks, watched the livestock, bred bunnies, fed the squirrels and birds, and continuously adventured around the farmstead. After moving to town, her lifeline to the farm was brother Clif who ate lunch with her frequently. She loved calling him “Farmer” or “Big Son” and telling him to “Go work!”

Marilyn spent countless hours with her parents. She savoured mom’s food and was a meat & potatoes girl from day one. Marilyn reveled at the opportunity to go on golf cart rides around town with her dad, giving the town kids candy and going to Casey’s. In the summer, she helped her mom with the flowers and marveled at the beautiful colors. Her favorite chair was “Dad’s” where she watched westerns and animal cartoons on TV with the family and took afternoon naps.

Over time, Marilyn had many “collections.” From dolls to butterflies and angels, trinkets filled the house. Her extensive crafting collection was packed with glitter, sequins, glue, stickers, crayons, paper, and anything where she could create in her own world. However, her most precious collection was a group of wonderful ladies and their spouses who graciously loved and cared for Miss Marilyn when family members were working on the farm.

Left to cherish Marilyn's memory is her mother, Betty Baudler; brother: Clifton (Sondra) Baudler; niece: Elizabeth (Jason) Christensen - Jenna, Jory, & Jaxon Christensen; nephews Benjamin Baudler and Bradley (Quinn) Baudler - Everly & Sawyer Baudler; aunts & uncles: Carol Baudler, Ruth Baudler, Ruth (Wayne) Henderson, Jody (Ron) Kinney; Many other family members and friends.

Preceding Marilyn in death were her father, Louis Baudler; grandparents Ernest & Lizzie Baudler and Nels & Helen Christensen; paternal uncles and aunts: Bernard (Maxine) Baudler, Sylvia (Leon) Cooper, Henry Baudler, Ralph Baudler, Virgil Baudler, Bill Johnson, Wilma, and a baby uncle; maternal aunts and uncles: Donna (Harley) Wallace and Earl (Roberta) (Joyce) Christensen.