BOONE, Iowa—Marilyn Arlene (Johnson) Rude, age 90, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loved ones at Westhaven Community on May 30, 2022. Marilyn was a veteran who served as a Civil Engineer with the United States Air Force for thirty years.

Marilyn was born on March 21, 1932 to her parents Ralph M. and Clara (Wackershouse) Johnson in Boone, Iowa. She graduated from Boone High School in 1950 and went on to earn her engineering degree. Marilyn was united in marriage to Gilman Rude (Veteran and POW).

During her years as a Civil Engineer with the Air Force, Marilyn spent 10 years in Japan and traveling to see many of the sites. She dearly loved to travel and was able to visit Hong Kong, the Peak Tram, Macao, and the Philippines. Many of these travels were with her loving friends Art and Arleen Blackstone whom she met while with the service. After her retirement, she held various jobs including Manatt’s in Ames.

Marilyn was a very accomplished woman – serving in command as an engineer, managing and preserving the family farm, very active in conservation and recycling, and devoted many years involved with Food at First in Ames where she served on the Board. She also was very active at the YMCA in Boone, where she developed many close friendships.  Marilyn was very knowledgeable on history and wrote articles for many years for RSVP in Boone, Ia.  She loved to read, sew, travel, and spend time with her friends who loved her sharp, quick wit and loving personality.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents; husband Gilman in 1986; and brother Maurice Johnson. She is survived by many wonderful friends that were like family.

A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 P.M.  on Thursday, June 9, 2022 at Schroeder- Reimers Memorial Chapel at Sixth and Marshall Streets in Boone. Inurnment will be in the Iowa Veterans Cemetery.

Thank you to Dr. Rodney Logan, Boone Co. Hospital, Westhaven Community Staff, and Suncrest Hospice for their wonderful care of Marilyn.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to Food at First in Ames.  That would bring a smile to Marilyn’s face.

Online condolences may be left at www.schroedermemorialchapel.com.

Schroeder- Reimers Memorial Chapel at Sixth and Marshall Streets is in charge of arrangements.

Marilyn Rude, 90, Westhaven Community of Boone, Iowa