Marilyn Anne (Juergens) Giess

Obituary – Marilyn Anne (Juergens) Giess - January 23, 1927 – January 12, 2026

Marilyn Anne Juergens was born Jan. 23, 1927 at St. Anthonys Hospital in Carroll, IA to Arthur Juergens, a farmer, and Violet Murfield Juergens, homemaker and Director of Domestic Tasks. Growing up on an Iowa farm during the Great Depression, Marilyn was always busy with chores around the farm, helping her mother prepare meals for farm hands or canning fruits & vegetables for the winter months.

Marilyn loved music and she & her brother, Mitchell, took weekly piano lessons in the home. She started walking to school with her brother at only 4 yrs. old (he was 6 but didn’t want to walk by himself). They had a baby sister, Ginny, at home with their mother, and several years later baby sister, June, joined the family.

Marilyn finished school at age 17 and in 1944 attended Graceland College in Lamoni, IA. She always remembered her father writing that tuition check in full when he drove her to campus. She studied Education & Music, graduating in 1946. She taught shorthand while continuing her education, graduating in 1950 with her Master’s Degree from Drake University. Upon graduation, Marilyn accepted a job teaching music at Franklin High School in Portland, Or.

In December 1952, Marilyn married John Giess, making their home in Portland with their growing family of five children. She gave piano lessons in the home as she raised her babies. In 1959, she and John purchased oceanfront picture-window cottages where they made many wonderful memories and friendships. In 1962, Marilyn returned to her teaching career in elementary music. In August 1967 they moved to Seattle, buying the large home on 17th Avenue in the University of Washington district to raise their children. Marilyn secured a teaching position with the Edmonds school district, retiring at 62 in 1989, after a 33-year teaching career.

Marilyn’s “retirement” was an active one as she stayed busy with the Shoreline Community Center singers, served many years as Music Director at the Community of Christ church, and enjoyed singing with her son-in-law, Dick, in the University Presbyterian Gospel Choir. She had season tickets for 25 years at the Act Theater and the Seattle Symphony. She enjoyed traveling to such places as Paris, New York City, and Hawaii. But with all that, Marilyn still offered piano lessons in her home up until the age of 93.

Marilyn’s home was always full of love and learning, and a hub for gathering; whether friends and family, celebrating holidays, or welcoming guests. In 1985 she began renting rooms to university students, where many of those relationships lasted long after their graduations. Her smile upon meeting friends old and new was a loving affirmation to the recipient, and her love of family and neighbors was a wonderful example for her children and grandchildren.

Marilyn passed on January 12, 2026, just 11 days short of her 99th birthday. She is survived by her children Ruthanne McPhaden (Dick), Sara Dexter, Vanessa Crookston (Don), Alec, and Kurt, as well as her grandchildren and great grandchildren from whom she received so much joy throughout her long life.

Please share memories & sign the guestbook, located below.

Arrangements Entrusted to Emmick Family Funeral Home of West Seattle