Marilyn Ruth McNeal, 91, of Kearney, formerly of Gothenburg, passed away on Jan. 24, 2024, at Brookstone Gardens in Kearney.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 p.m on Feb. 10, at Faith United Methodist Church in Kearney with Pastor Jeff Wulf officiating. Interment at Grand View Cemetery near Gothenburg will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Faith United Methodist Church. Please visit www.hlmkfuneral. com to leave a tribute or message of condolence. Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services of Kearney is in charge of arrangements.

Marilyn was born on April 8, 1932, on a farm in Custer County to Lawrence and Martha Penn Stinehagen.

She attended Sunny Hill Rural School in Custer County for grades 1-8 and graduated from Cozad High School in 1949. She attended Normal Training and began teaching in rural elementary schools in Dawson County at the age of 18. She returned to college and received her bachelor's degree at UNK in 1988 and graduated Magna Cum Laude.

On June 8, 1952, she married R. Leigh McNeal. To this union two children were born. Leigh Ann and Kirk were the joys of her life.

She was an avid reader, Master Gardener, and baker. She held multiple leadership roles in her church and taught Sunday school for 60 years. She was the president of Dawson Co-Rural Teachers Association, a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, President of the Town and Country Garden Club, treasurer of Grant Township, 4-H leader, and Missionary Education Director.

Marilyn is survived by her daughter, Leigh Ann (Kent) Wilcher, and her son, Kirk (Alexis) McNeal; three granddaughters, Laura-Leigh (Randy) Norris, Lexie Wilcher (fiance Trevor Meyer), and Lauren McNeal; three great-grandchildren, Miles, Max, and Mila Norris. She is also survived by her sister, Shirley Hinkle, and sister-in-law, Chrystal Stinehagen.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her husband, Leigh; brother, Jim Stinehagen; and sister, Perk English.