Marilyn J. Calhoun, 85, of Fremont died Monday, March 14, 2011, at Nye Legacy in Fremont. She fought lung cancer and died of its complications surrounded by her loved ones.
She was born Feb. 8, 1926, in Centerville, Iowa, to Ora R. (King) and Lloyd Morris. She graduated from Centerville High School in 1943 and Midland Lutheran College in 1972. She married Jack B. Calhoun on Aug. 13, 1945, upon Jack's return from World War II.
They lived in Des Moines, Fairfield and Ottumwa, Iowa, before moving to Beatrice in 1969. The family moved to Fremont in 1971 where Jack was business manager at Midland Lutheran College.
Calhoun was hired by Saunders County as a vocational services director of the Ashland Vocational Center in September 1972. She became director of Saunders County Office of Mental Retardation (SCOMR) on July 1,1973. SCOMR became the first community-based, nationally-accredited service system under Lyn Rucker. The children's educational service program was integrated into the Wahoo Public Schools under Superintendent Willard Hunzeker. The Saunders County Board of Supervisors built the original vocational services center in Wahoo in 1979. Marilyn wrote a federal grant in 1982 which added on to the Vocational Services Center to house the administration and social services offices. Two duplex residences were built in Wahoo to house the men's, women's and children's residences. In 1977, she was the area director for the new David City program. Subsequently, she wrote federal grants for David City in 1981 and Crete in 1982 to build vocational service centers in both locations. Calhoun retired in February 1991.
We will remember Marilyn for her love of her family, friends, gardening and pets. She was a member of The Presbyterian Church in Fremont and a member of the Eastern Star in Centerville, Iowa.
She is survived by her children, Marta Jane Calhoun of Nebraska City and John B. Calhoun (and special friend, Kris Sandall) of Fremont; grandson, Justin B. Calhoun (and special friend, Ashley Ferguson) of Lincoln; as well as her granddog, Abby. She leaves many friends who will mourn her passing, wit and intellect.
Her husband, Jack, who died September 26, 2004, and her parents, Lloyd and Ora Morris, preceded Marilyn in death.
The memorial service will be 10 a.m. Saturday at Dugan Funeral Chapel in Fremont with the Rev. Stephen J. Brownlee officiating. There will be no visitation. A memorial has been established to the Dodge County Humane Society in Fremont.