Marilyn Ann Blocker, age 96, passed away Sunday April 27th in Chicago, IL. She was born in Marshalltown, Iowa on May 19, 1928 to John and Elizabeth Mead. Marilyn (Mary Mead) attended St. Mary’s Catholic School and High School in Marshalltown. She moved to Dubuque, Iowa where she attended and graduated from Mercy Hospital School of Nursing and became a nurse in 1949.

Marilyn met and married John Jay Blocker on October 1, 1949. Jay was the love of her life and they enjoyed an amazing life together that spanned 40 years. They were blessed with eight children: John F. (Judy Deitchler) Blocker, Barbara (Robert) Newman, Jeanne (Dan) Garms, Jim (Marcia) Blocker, Janet (Gary) Leeper, Elizabeth (David) Bright, Jennifer (Todd) Rucinski, and Joshua (Sarah) Blocker.

Marilyn was also blessed with fifteen grandchildren: Joel Blocker, Sascha Blocker, Jude Blocker, Tessa Blocker, Elizabeth (Newman) Primm, Caroline (Newman) Carr, Matthew Garms, Elliott Garms, Gabe Garms, Jessica (Leeper) Walsh, Katlin (Leeper) Vargo, Dylan Leeper, Hannah Bright, Grace Bright, Ella Rucinski, and twelve great grandchildren. Marilyn was proceeded in death by her husband Jay and daughter

Jeanne Garms.

Marilyn worked at the YMCA and Shamrock Imports while still living in Dubuque. She moved to Chicago, IL in 1998 where she lived near her children and grandchildren for 26 years.

Cremation will take place and Marilyn will rest next to her husband Jay at Mount Calvary Cemetery, Dubuque Iowa.