Marilyn Spies

Marilyn Yvonne Spies, also known as Marily, passed peacefully in her home in Show Low, Arizona on June 27, 2024, just before her 76th birthday. She was blessed to have spent her last several weeks laughing and smiling with friends and family.

Marilyn graduated from Staples High School in Staples, Minnesota, where she competed as a barrel racer. She graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor's degree in teaching, and went on to teach Kindergarten and first grade in Gillette, Wyoming from 1976 until 2006. Marilyn was known across several generations of students for her patience and kindness.

In 1999, she married Dick Spies, and they eventually moved to Show Low, where they spent their time traveling to see friends, relatives, and grandkids, and watching College Football. She was a fan of the Wyoming Cowboys, the Nebraska Cornhuskers, Minnesota Gophers, and many other teams. When Marilyn wasn't off on a travel adventure, she spent much of her time volunteering as a Life Member of Post 9907 VFW Auxiliary, Show Low, AZ.

Marilyn is preceded in death by her amazing parents, George and Florence Johnson; and Stepson, Kevin Spies.

She is survived by a large family that is forever blessed for having had her in their lives:

Her husband Dick Spies; her siblings, Mick, Peg, Dave, and Sue Johnson; her sons, Damon and Aaron Van Buren and their wives, Sheri and Anichia; stepson, Kent Spies; stepdaughter, Kandy Biesterfeld and husband Brian; stepdaughter, Kari Dean and husband Brian; stepson, Joe Spies; and 15 Grandchildren.

Marilyn was as stubborn as she was loving, and she could talk your ear off. She had a habit of surrounding herself with down to earth people with a great sense of humor, who knew how to live life well. Every bit of her will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

A celebration of Marilyn's life will be held on Saturday, August 10th at 11:00 AM at the VFW, 381 N. Central Ave., Show Low, AZ.