Marilyn Chesnut

Marilyn Ann Chesnut, 81, of rural Anita, Iowa, passed away Wednesday, August 30, 2017, at her home northwest of Adair.

Marilyn was born March 2, 1936, in Adair, Iowa, to Arthur and Emma (Heckman) Bireline. She grew up northwest of Adair and graduated from the Adair High School in 1954. After high school, Marilyn worked at Northwestern Bell. On April 7, 1957, Marilyn married Ray Chesnut at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church north of Adair. Marilyn and Ray lived on the same farm their entire married life.

When her children were grown, Marilyn worked for ADR Homes of Adair. She also worked as a bookkeeper and as an insurance agent and manager for Greeley Mutual in Exira. She continued to sell insurance with her husband until the time of her death.

Marilyn was a member of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church north of Adair where she was active with the flower and funeral lunch committees. She was also a member of the LWML. Marilyn was a 4-H member and leader, was an active volunteer for Aid Association of Lutherans, a member of the Exira Community Club and a founding member and board secretary for Hillcrest Association.

She enjoyed playing cards, fishing, gardening, attending her grandchildren’s activities and babysitting her great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Melodie Rubel; and a grandson, Aaron Rubel.

Marilyn is survived by her husband, Ray Chesnut of Anita, IA; her children, Ray Dean (Shirley) Chesnut Jr. of Casey, IA, Deanna Chesnut of Adair, IA, and Danny (Rhonda) Chesnut of Olathe, KS; grandchildren, Ashley (Ben) Sponsler of Ankeny, IA, Saydee (Ryan) Vogel of Olathe, KS, and Claire and Emma Chesnut of Casey, IA; great-grandchildren, Bradly, Jasper and Ella Sponsler of Ankeny, IA; a brother, James (Jean) Bireline of Adair, IA; and a son-in-law, Monte Rubel of Atlantic, Iowa.

Visitation with family will be from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m., Monday, September 4, 2017, at Hockenberry Family Care Funeral Home in Adair, Iowa.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, September 5, 2017, at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church north of Adair, IA, with burial in St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery north of Adair, Iowa.

Memorials may be left to the family’s wishes to be designated at a later date.