Marilyn Maegdlin

Marilyn Ruth Clark Maegdlin Obituary

Marilyn Ruth Clark Maegdlin, age 93, passed from death to eternal life on Monday, October 13, 2025. Born October 25, 1931 to Elizabeth Loretta (Hanch) Clark and Carl Clark. She grew up in the woods of Lisle, IL with her 4 siblings where she learned to wonder at the beauty of God’s creation. She attended high school at Sacred Heart Academy. Her typing and shorthand skills earned her a position as an executive secretary for Ryerson Steel in Chicago.

She met her husband Louis (Lou) Maegdlin at a Cuban dance club in Chicago called Mambo City while Lou was on leave from serving his country during the Korean War. Their favorite dance was the Jitterbug. They wrote letters back and forth until Lou’s tour of duty was over, and were married on October 15, 1955 at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Norwood Park, Chicago. They celebrated 66 years of marriage before Lou’s passing into glory in 2022.

Marilyn stayed home to raise their three children in Des Plaines, Illinois. She taught her children to love Jesus, to be in awe of nature, to put others before yourselves. She loved to learn and was a voracious reader. She also was an avid gardener and everyone loved her pickles and dilly beans. She volunteered at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and at the local nursing home and had a heart for the elderly. She created a home where family and friends were always welcome.

In 1990 Marilyn and Lou retired to Fountain Hills, Arizona where they would spend the rest of their lives. They attended Camp Jeep to learn how to Four Wheel. Marilyn was a good golfer and played in leagues until late into her 80’s. She enjoyed hiking, cooking, and traveling. She continued her volunteer work with Shepherd of the Hills, Paz de Cristo (feeding the homeless), Cursillo and more. She loved spending time making memories with her family, especially her grandchildren.

Marilyn was pre-deceased by her husband Louis, her siblings Corrine (Connie), Carl (Bubs), Edward (Butch). She is survived by her sister Bette Jane (Bea). She left a legacy of faith and love to her children Lisa (John) Tofano, Lori (Phil) Lund, Steven (Julie) Maegdlin. Her grandchildren Kyle (Britany), Drew (Sarah), Alec (Elizabeth), Sarah (Drumlin), Hannah (Ross), and Chris (Caroline) will miss her dearly. Her great- grandchildren Rowan, Modie, Noah, Adelaide, River, Fisher, Miles, and Baby Tofano will hear of her stories for years to come.

Marilyn’s Celebration of Life will be November 8th, 2025 at 9:30am at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Fountain Hills. Reception following. In lieu of flowers, Marilyn would love donations to the Missions Fund at Shepherd of the Hills (https://sothaz.com/give).