Marilyn attended Anselmo-Merna High School and graduated in 1967. She continued her education in Lincoln attending Bryan Memorial Hospital School of Nursing and graduated on August 9, 1970. She went on to continue her education earning a Bachelor Degree from Nebraska Wesleyan University.
Marilyn began her nursing career in Broken Bow, NE. as a nurse in the ER at the hospital. She went on to have several positions in nursing including a travel nurse, worked in hospice services, she was Director of Nursing at Ambassador Health for over 20 years, and finished her career as a Consultant to the State of NE. in Health & Human Services until her retirement.
Marilyn was married to Kenneth Charles Jackson, Jr. on March 15, 1969, in Merna, NE.
Kenny and Marilyn were high school sweethearts and remained devoted to each other in marriage for 52 years.
Marilyn was an avid reader sometimes reading up to 3- 4 books a week, loved to travel as her and Kenny traveled to Hawaii, Alaska, Ireland and Italy after she retired.
She was also a big Husker fan and enjoyed watching both the football and volleyball teams play.
Her family includes sons Jason (Dawn) and Jeffrey (Valerie), grandchildren Shellbi, Ava, Nathan, Jessica, Carmen, Charles, many great grandchildren, extended family members and friends.
Preceded in death by her parents Bart and Vada, 3 brothers Byron, Bruce and Bradley Dean, and husband Kenny.
Celebration of Life will be held 10:00 a.m. Thursday October 23, 2025, at Roper and Sons Midtown Chapel, 4300 O Street.
No visitation / cremation. Burial 2:30pm following the service in Omaha National Cemetery, 14250 Schram Rd. Omaha.