Marilyn R. Wheat

March 2, 1943 - March 2, 2020

Marilyn R. Wheat, age 77, of Kearney, passed away Monday, March 2, 2020 at Brookestone Gardens in Kearney. Memorial Mass will be 10:30 am, March 7, 2020 at Prince of Peace Catholic Church with Fr. Paul Colling officiating. Memorials are suggested to the family to be designated later. Private family burial will be held at a later date. There will be no visitation held. Marilyn was born March 2, 1943 in Wichita, Kansas to Urban and Pauline (Barger) Steinke. She grew up in Wichita and graduated from Sacred Heart Academy in 1961. Marilyn went on to study at St. Francis School of Nursing graduating as a registered nurse in 1964. Marilyn maintained her nursing license for thirty years and in that time, worked as an R.N. at the University of Nebraska Health Center, Bryan Memorial, and St. Elizabeth’s Hospitals in Lincoln, the Jefferson Community Hospital in Fairbury, and the Kearny County Hospital and the Family Health Center in Lakin. Marilyn married the love of her life, Jon Wheat on August 24, 1963 in Wichita, Kansas. After he completed dental school, in 1968 they moved to Lakin, Kansas where she was an active member of the community for forty years, nursing, volunteering, and raising their five children. In 2013, she and her husband moved to Kearney, Nebraska to be closer to grandchildren and family. Marilyn led a vibrant life that included golfing, skiing, biking, and hiking. She enjoyed lifelong relationships with friends and making new ones, traveling to more than six countries, and spending time at her home in the mountains of Colorado. Marilyn loved playing games and winning almost every bet. Her extraordinary life as a mother was further enriched by the love of her six grandchildren and great-granddaughter. Marilyn lived her faith by leading with strength, forgiving graciously, persevering in adversity, and generously loving those around her. She passed gently from this life on the day she was born, surrounded by her devoted family. Marilyn is survived by her husband, Dr. Jon Wheat of Kearney; daughters, Kristin Trotter and husband Michael of Windham, NH, Jamie Lewis and husband Matt of Kearney, Regan Wheat and Paolo Parisi of Florence, Italy; sons, Michael Wheat of Phoenix, AZ, Nate Wheat and wife Angie of Omaha, NE; grandchildren, Tanner Jon Kinsey and wife Amanda, Betsey Rose Lewis and Samuel Lewis, Maya Wheat and Layla Wheat; a great granddaughter, Reese Rose and a sister Susan Farmer and her husband Mike of Plymouth, MN. Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents and granddaughter Peyton Elizabeth Wheat.