Marilynn Van Brocklin's Obituary
Marilynn Jane (Shean) Van Brocklin, 97, passed away of natural causes on September 11, 2020 at Story County Medical Center Senior Care in Nevada, Iowa, where she resided since January 2017. Marilynn was born October 10, 1922 in Harrisville, NY, the daughter of Verner and Viola (Stowell) Shean. She graduated from Harrisville High School and the Watertown School of Commerce before falsifying her age to enlist in the Women's Army Corps in 1943. She was discharged with the rank of Sergeant at the end of World War II after being stationed at Oglethorpe Georgia, Waco Texas, and Des Moines Iowa. She married Kermit E. Van Brocklin on July 8, 1946 and resided in Watertown, New York where she raised her family and worked for 26 years at J. C. Penney's. She moved to Palm Coast, Florida in 1986 after Kermit's passing to be near her sisters, Myrtle Lathan and Margaret Branchaud. In 2005 she moved back to Watertown where she enjoyed time with her brother, Francis and niece, Marilynn Hibbard, and her granddaughter, Lisa Criscitello and family. She moved again in 2010 to Ames, Iowa to be near her son, Lee. Marilynn was proud to have been a part of the Greatest Generation. She enjoyed raising her family, hosting card parties with friends, and later in her life, genealogy and conservative politics. She researched and published a Stowell Family History and was a staunch supporter of the Convention of States. Marilynn is survived by her son, K. Lee Van Brocklin (Cathy) of Ames, Iowa; her younger sister, Margaret Branchaud of Parker, Texas, 6 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Kermit in 1985; sister, Myrtle Lathan; brother, Francis Sheen; and sons, Stephen Ted Van Brocklin and Reid Shean Van Brocklin. Donations in Marilynn's memory may be made to St Croix Hospice, 1555 SE Delaware Ave, Suite Q, Ankeny, IA 50021 or to Story County Medical Center Senior Care, 630 6th St, Nevada, IA 50210. Online condolences may be directed to www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com
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