Marilyn J. Thatcher

Moline, Illinois

Marilyn J. Thatcher, 78, of Moline, Illinois, died Monday, September 29, 2014, at Heartland Health Care Center, Moline.

Services are 11:30 a.m. Saturday, October 18, 2014, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Moline. Friends are invited to a hospitality gathering at CityView Celebrations at Trimble Pointe, 701 12th Street, Moline, immediately following services at the church. Private burial will be at Moline Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to the church. Trimble Funeral Home & Crematory, Moline, is entrusted with arrangements.

The former Marilyn Joyce Schweitzer was born November 5, 1935, in Ottumwa, Iowa, the daughter of John Adam and Clara (Osterfoss) Schweitzer. She lived on her parents' farm near Hedrick, Iowa, and graduated from Hedrick High School in 1953. She attended Iowa State University, where she received her degree in Home Economics. She married James Thatcher on May 6, 1961, in Hedrick, Iowa.

Following graduation, she became the extension home economist for Washington County, Iowa. She was an International Farm Youth exchangee assigned to Taiwan for six months, where she lived with several host families and shared various home economic issues. Upon her return, she lived and worked in Washington, Iowa, until she was transferred to Iowa City to become the extension home economist for Johnson County.

Marilyn was a long time member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Moline. She was a member of the HB Chapter of PEO, Junior Service League, and Short Hills Country Club since 1976.

She is survived by her husband, Dr. Jim Thatcher, of Moline; three children and their spouses, Dr. Lonnette and Dr. Tom Breneman of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, John Thatcher of Denver, Colorado, and Dr. Craig and Dr. Leanne Thatcher of Moline; five grandchildren, Matthew, Joseph, and Marshall Breneman, and Madison and Braden Thatcher; a nephew, Bart and Kate Bycroft of Salina, Kansas; and a niece, Melanie and Rick Hopke of West Des Moines, Iowa. She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Jeanetta Bycroft.

Visit Marilyn's personal tribute page at www.TrimbleFuneralHomes.com to share stories and condolences, send flowers, and light a free candle in her memory.