Marilyn Mae Rodgers Folkers, 85, passed away July 12th after a strongly fought battle with leukemia she is now reunited with family and friends she has not seen in such a long time. Marilyn Mae was born in Knox on May 24th, 1934 to Herman and Hazel Rodgers. She was the youngest of their six children – Don (Lil) Rodgers, Chuck Rodgers, Joe (Helen) Rodgers, Dean (Bernadine) Rodgers, and Lois (Bill) Flegal.
She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Bill Folkers, and their three children Bill (Nan) Folkers, Beth (Rick) Neilson, and Kris Arvelo. Her grandchildren Geo (Melinda) Folkers, Ryan (Josie) Forsness, Amber (Jason) Lee, Graham Folkers, and Hannah Folkers and her great grandchildren Alivia Lee, Jaycee Folkers, Magdalyn Rinard, Addison Lee, Sadie Rinard, Griffin Forsness, Hazel Forsness, Piper and Liam Folkers.
You may remember Marilyn as Prom Queen from Knox High School class of 1952 or maybe as a co-worker from Austenal Corporation. Perhaps you were in her Kindergarten class at Washington Township or Headstart class at California Township. You may have known her as the manager of the Knox License Branch, the secretary of the Knox Chamber of Commerce, or the apartment manager at Knox or Westville. She also spent considerable time at the Starke County Historical Museum and in the annex as the Starke County Treasurer. Marilyn loved and was very involved in her community and church: Eagle Creek Church, Republican Party, Tri Kappa, Starke County Development, Starke County Legacy of Women, Harvest Days, Peppermint Parade, Santa’s Closet, Traveling Election Board, Class Reunions, Family Reunions, Redsteppers’ seamstress, Knox High School Costume Designer, a 4-H mom, and was proud of her Sagamore of the Wabash award – to Marilyn nothing beats being a Hoosier! Many have been blessed by her talents and will treasure memories of her incredible journey on this earth.
We have learned so much from her: help others when you can, always use more butter, chocolate is a food group, don’t procrastinate – but if you do it might be some of your best work, add celery, mornings are better with coffee, hot chocolate is always a good idea, don’t pay full price, there’s a secret to making toasted cheese, and treat each other with love and respect.
Marilyn’s goal in life was to make a difference in others’ lives. Her “dash” between 1934 and 2019 was significant to so many family members and friends. She made an unforgettable impact on everyone. While we are heartbroken we know she would say…please don’t cry because I’m gone; instead be happy that I was here. “Snap out of it.”
A gathering of friends will take place Friday, July 19th from 5-8pm CST and July 20th from 10-11 am CST at Eagle Creek Church. Her celebration of life will be Saturday July 20th at Eagle Creek Church at 11am CST. In lieu in flowers please consider donating to The Care House in Goshen Indiana or the Marilyn Folkers Scholarship Fund at KHS. M.C.Smith Funeral Home is handling arrangements
