Marylyn was born on November 22, 1935, in Lincoln, Nebraska, to Martin and Lucille (Finch) Miller. Growing up in Lincoln and Omaha alongside her brothers Robert (Bob) and Gene, she developed a lifelong love for community and connection. She graduated from Sheldon, MO High School in 1953 as the Valedictorian of her class. It was at Sheldon High where she met the love of her life, Dale Rowe, whom she famously declared she would marry on the very day they met. The high school sweethearts were wed on January 1, 1954, beginning a beautiful marriage focused entirely on family and faith.
Marylyn excelled in her professional life as an exceptionally organized secretary and office manager. She spent 15 years as a secretary to the Vice President of Commercial Federal Savings & Loan. Later in life, she spent 20 wonderful years as an on-call employee for Edward Jones in Lincoln, finally retiring at the age of 80.
Her faith in Jesus Christ was the cornerstone of her life. Baptized at age 13 at First Christian Church in Omaha, Marylyn went on to teach many Bible classes, even publishing an article in the Christian Standard. A talented pianist, she gladly stepped up to play whenever a church was in need. Her home always mirrored her open-heart policy, everyone was welcome, and no one went hungry.
Marylyn’s greatest pride was her large, vibrant family. She is survived by her four children, Don Rowe (Marcy), Marcia Thornton (Bill), Diana Pavlisko (Richard), and Nancy Widman (Dave); 20 grandchildren; and 28 great-grandchildren, each of whom was secretly told were her “favorite”. Marylyn loved her dear friends from China, counting them as part of the extended family.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Dale Rowe, her parents, Martin and Lucille Miller, and her brothers, Robert Miller and Gene Miller.
A celebration of Marylyn’s deeply blessed life will be held Monday, September 28th, 11:00am at Capitol City Christian Church, 7800 Holdrege St, Lincoln, NE. 2:00 pm burial in Ashland Cemetery.
Visitation 4-6 pm Sunday, September 27, 2026, Roper and Sons Midtown Chapel, 4300 O St.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to Capitol City Christian Church or Jacob’s Well.
Her family takes comfort in knowing she has been called home to her King.