Marlene Anne Kilberger

Marlene Anne Kilberger

Swisher

Marlene Anne Kilberger, 82, of Swisher, passed away November 23, 2025, at Heritage Care Center in Cedar Rapids. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, November 28, 2025, at Brosh Chapel and The Avacentre in Cedar Rapids, located at 2121 Bowling Street SW. Funeral Mass will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, November 29, 2025, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church. Burial will be in Anderson Cemetery, Swisher.

Marlene was born on November 11, 1943, in Moline, Illinois, the daughter of Wayne and Catherine (Cooney) McNeal. She graduated from Oxford High School in 1962 where she played basketball and was crowned homecoming queen before continuing her studies at the College of Cosmetology in Iowa City. On June 26, 1963, she married Marvin Kilberger at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Oxford, beginning a lifelong partnership filled with hard work, devotion, and companionship. Marlene and Marvin worked side by side on the farm, rarely apart, and always supporting one another. She loved dancing to polka music and carried a joyful spirit wherever she went.

A member of St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Marlene was always ready to lend a helping hand and serve her community. She was an active member of St. Monica’s for 50 years and volunteered for the Cattle, Pork, and Sheep Producers. She worked election polls, was a member of Monroe Township Club, led and judged 4-H for many years, volunteered regularly at the Cattleman’s Booth at the Iowa State Fair, and enjoyed time spent at her card club. She also served on the Farm Bureau Women’s Committee for many years, earning a memorable trip to Ireland in 1986 with her spouse. In 1990, she was honored as Linn County Mother of the Year, a recognition that spoke to her kindness, dedication, and the love she gave so freely.

Marlene found joy in the simple, meaningful parts of life. She loved tending her large garden, sewing, baking, helping make thousands of kolaches for her church, and watching the birds outside her kitchen window. She also cherished her dogs, who always held a special place in her heart. She had a deep love for her horses, sometimes caring for as many as twelve at once, and some of her happiest moments were spent taking her grandchildren on trail rides. She worked at J.C. Penney’s for many years and later joined the Amana Meat Shop, where she worked until 2023 alongside her daughter and granddaughter. Her coworkers quickly became like her extended family, and she was their second mother.

Above all, Marlene was an incredibly hardworking, loving, and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She treasured her family and appreciated the many friends who blessed her life over the years.

She is survived by her husband, Marvin; daughter Linda (Allen) Grabau of Williamsburg; son Larry Kilberger of Cedar Rapids; grandchildren Tia (Will) Eggers of Marion, April (Chuck) Smith of Marengo, Levi (April) Grabau of Williamsburg, Austin Kilberger of Cedar Rapids, and Ashlyn Kilberger of Cedar Rapids; great-granddaughter Constance Smith of Marengo, brother Ronnie (Rhonda) McNeal of Swisher; and Karen (Milo) Popp.

Marlene was preceded in death by her parents, Wayne and Catherine McNeal; her brother Joseph McNeal and his wife Vicki; her in-laws Alvin and Agnes Kilberger; and her brother-in-law and sister-in-law Leo and Patty Kilberger.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the staff of Hospice of Mercy in Cedar Rapids and the staff at Heritage Rehabilitation Center for their compassionate care.

Those wishing to honor Marlene’s memory may make donations to Make-A-Wish or Camp Courageous.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.broshchapel.com.