Marilyn Sue Eaton passed away on Monday, April 7, 2025 in Salina, Kansas. She was born on February 20, 1942 in Superior, Nebraska. She was the second of four children born to Gordon C. and Katherine Alice (Keeler) Grimes.
Marilyn began school in Montrose, Kansas and then attended Esbon and Mankato schools. She earned her diploma from Mankato High School. Marilyn was most importantly a wife, mother, and homemaker. She worked various places including the dental office, local restaurants, Coast to Coast, and the Mankato and Rock Hills High School Library.
She married Leroy Eaton in Fairbury, Nebraska on February 8, 1960. They welcomed three children into their union: Diana, Alan, and Michael. They made their home, worked, and raised their family in Mankato, Kansas until moving to Salina, Kansas to be near family in October 2023.
Marilyn was a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America in Mankato, Kansas, often assisting with Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. She enjoyed flower gardening, quilting and crafting, and was an avid reader. Most of all she enjoyed her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Leroy Eaton, parents, and a sister, Margaret Colson.
She will be missed by her children, Diana Boley (John) of Salina, KS, Alan Eaton of Medical Lake, WA, and Michael Eaton (Linda) of Canton, KS; grandchildren, Ross Jeffery (Carrie), Jaci Firner (Evan), Cortney Jeffery, Dustin Boley, Kevin Boley, Cody Eaton (Cindy), Zachary Eaton, Jessica Eaton, and Heather Winkler (Brady); 18 great grandchildren; siblings, John Grimes (Rella), Robert Grimes (Genevieve); brother in law, Richard Colson; and a host of family and friends.
Memorial services will be held at The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Mankato on April 21, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. with Pastor Dennis Beckmann officiating. Inurnment will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Mankato Endowment Scholarship Fund for Local Students or Evangelical Lutheran Church of Mankato in care of Melby Mortuary, P.O. Box 384, Mankato, KS 66956. Online condolences may be made at melbymortuary.com