Marilyn B. Kaiser

On Sunday, December 27, 2020, Marilyn Ballard Kaiser, of North Chili, NY, loving wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away at the age of 86. 

Marilyn was born on August 16, 1934 in Orange, New Jersey to Thomas L. and Mildred Nadler Ballard. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Western College for Women in Miami, Ohio and was a third grade teacher prior to starting her family. On June 29, 1957, she married Bob Kaiser and they raised four children. 

Marilyn had a passion for projects and was able to accomplish anything she put her mind to. This included designing and planting beautiful gardens, building a swingset for her children, sculpting Snoopy and his dog house out of snow, making one-of-a-kind Halloween costumes, and making her very special surprise balls for her grandchildren.  Marilyn was especially gifted at planning all the details for wonderful trips including extensive mission travel in Central America, biking on Martha’s Vineyard, hosteling in New Orleans, time at the Jersey shore, and many camping trips where she was always ready with a campfire song, a rainy day activity, or a scavenger hunt. 

Throughout her life, Marilyn also supported her husband Bob’s work with many church parishes. She worked with him on issues of social justice both local and international. She was active in multiple mission projects including tutoring the incarcerated, providing sewing machines to migrant farm workers, and refugee resettlement.

In addition to her parents Marilyn was preceded in death by her brother John (Phyllis). She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Bob; her sister Nancy (Bill); her four children and their spouses; David (Colleen), Loreen (Rich), Bryce (John), Lon (Suzanne); her beloved grandchildren and great grandchildren. Special thanks to the staff of Cottage Grove for their wonderful care and for keeping Marilyn supplied with chocolate ice cream. A Memorial Service will be held in the spring. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Joseph’s House of Hospitality or Foodlink.

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