Marilyn Jean Elscott, 90, of Kansas City, Missouri died July 29, 2024, at her home, surrounded by her loving children and grandchildren as well as the attentive and caring assisted living and hospice staff.  Hymns were sung, stories were told, memories were shared, tears were shed, and laughter was heard.  She had a beautiful send-off.

Marilyn was born December 20, 1933, in Oskaloosa, Iowa, the daughter of John and Alice (Arkema) Visser.  She graduated from Lacey High School in 1953.  Upon graduation, she worked for F.W. Woolworth and helped open new stores around the state of Iowa.  She met Lester Elscott in church and they were married on March 22, 1958.  They moved to Pella where they built a farm and raised a family.  She and Lester were charter members of the Pella Church of the Nazarene.  She was a devoted Christian and enjoyed singing in the choir.  She was also an avid seamstress, sewing clothes including wedding gowns and bridesmaids dresses, as well as beautiful quilts.  In her later years, she created and sewed lavish and fun clothes for American Girl dolls.  She loved seeing the joy on the faces of the girls she shared her creations with.

Marilyn is survived by her children: Norman Elscott of Knoxville, Norma (Melvin) Pierce of Altoona, and LaDonna (Mark) Raddant of Kansas City.  She also has six grandchildren: Dustin Pierce, Tasha (Patrick) McCarville, Amanda (Victor) Nagel, Paul (Megan) Raddant, Kayla (Sam) Haddix and Andrew (Sinead) Raddant and one great grandchild, Jaiden Pierce.  She has one surviving sister, Ruth Zear of Oskaloosa.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Phyllis, her beloved husband Lester and an infant son.