Obituary of Marilyn Friend

Marilyn Friend, 94, went home to be with her Savior on March 26, 2021. She was born October 18, 1926 in Ecorse, Michigan.  She lived most of her life in Michigan until her husband Vearl had a stroke and they moved to Iowa to be near their daughter. She was preceeded in death by her husband, an infant son and two sisters.

Marilyn worked as a stenographer until she married Vearl Friend on May 26, 1951.  After children came along, she focused on being a wife and mother. She kept a vegetable garden, canning and freezing the excess produce.  She sewed many dresses for her daughter and taught her how to sew.  She also spent time outside with her children, and especially enjoyed camping each summer. 

As a girl, Marilyn realized her need for a Savior and accepted Jesus Christ into her life.  She was very active in her church: she sang in the choir, taught 4^th grade Sunday School for many years, and was a helpmeet to her husband in his various church roles. Often they hosted missionaries and traveling college groups in their home.  Having all the family together, especially for holidays, was a joy to Marilyn.  After her daughter and sons all moved away and started their own families, it was quite a house full when they all got together!

Marilyn and Vearl loved to travel with their family. After retirement, they set out in their motor home to see the beautiful country God created. They even drove to Alaska, and traveled to Europe and England.

The Friends always lived frugally but were generous with their resources to their church, Christian organizations and their family.

Those left to cherish her memory are her daughter Janice (Jim) Goodwin, sons Daniel (Connie) Friend, Steven (Kay) Friend and Larry Friend, 9 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren, with another on the way.

Visitation will be held from 9:30 am to 10:30 am on Thursday, April 8, 2021, with the funeral service immediately following at Altoona Regular Baptist Church, Altoona, Iowa. A Facebook Live broadcast will begin at 10:30 am on the Pence Reese Funeral Home and Cremation Services Facebook page. Interment will be at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter at 2 pm.

Memorial contributions may be sent to Altoona Regular Baptist Church, Faith Baptist Bible College, or Christian Worship Hour.