Marilyn Folkers Waters, age 90, a resident of Glen Ellyn, IL, passed away on Saturday, May 24, 2025.  Strong willed to the end, she left us on her timeline and no one else's.

Marilyn was born August 2, 1934 in Melrose Park, Illinois to John & Janet Folkers. She grew up in Bellwood with her two older brothers Jack and Bob attending Woodrow Wilson school and Proviso High School graduating in 1952. Marilyn cultivated her love of music and reading early. She was a member of the Teen Tuners and often sang at family parties. When her elementary school started receiving library books, Marilyn was mentioned in the newspaper article having read thirteen books.

Following high school, Marilyn planned on going to college, but when those plans fell through she entered the workforce and moved out on her own. She became involved in the young adult group at First Presbyterian Church of Oak Park where she met Robert Waters. They were married on February 11, 1961 at First Presbyterian Church of Oak Park and two years later the couple moved to Elmhurst where they raised their family. As a stay-at-home Mom, Marilyn spent a lot of time toting her children around to pre-school, sports practices, piano lessons, ballet classes, and art classes. She also volunteered as the Art Lady at the local school. Once her children were old enough, Marilyn returned to work as a bookkeeper at Kennedy Advertising in Chicago. After over thirty-five years and three different houses in Elmhurst, Marilyn finally convinced her husband to move out of Elmhurst to the Oak Brook Club which was sometimes referred to as "Elmhurst South".

Marilyn was involved in the Elmhurst Evening Women's Club and sang as part of the club's Harmonettes group. She was also an active member of Elmhurst Presbyterian church, singing in the Westminster choir, playing in the handbell choir, participating in the Mariner Club, and serving as a deacon. Following her retirement, she stayed active by working part-time at The Courts, volunteering at the Elmhurst Public Library, traveling, playing golf, and doing needlepoint. Marilyn had a bad fear of flying until she discovered how wonderful it was to look out the plane window. With that fear conquered, she traveled the world with her husband. In addition to trips all over the U.S., they travelled extensively to Western and Eastern Europe, as well as South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand. They enjoyed visiting their son David in the many different countries he was posted to and she even brought a Christmas tree to South Korea. Her beautiful needlepoint crafts were finished as a foot stool, wall hangings, and decorative pillows which she enjoyed giving as gifts to family and friends.

Marilyn will be remembered as a strong woman who knew her own mind and was not afraid to speak it. Her backseat driving skills will remain legendary for years in the family. As a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, sister-in-law, and friend, she will be missed.

She is survived by her children Laurie (Douglas) Brownson, David (Helen) Waters and Jeffrey (Patricia) Waters; grandchildren Richard, Jenny, Rebecca, Sarah and Gregory; great-grandchildren Sage, Shane, Jayton, and Olivia; sisters-in-law Diane Folkers and Mary Ann Folkers; and many nieces and nephews,

She was preceded in death by her husband Robert and her brothers Jack Folkers and Robert Folkers.

A memorial service will be held at Elmhurst Presbyterian Church, 367 Spring Road, Elmhurst, IL 60126, on Friday, June 20, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.  Reception immediately following the service at White Pines Golf Club, Bensenville, IL 60106.

The family would like to thank Maple Glen Memory Care and Accord Hospice for their loving care of Marilyn.

Memorial gifts may be directed to the Alzheimer's Association .

Family and friends may sign a guest book at hultgrenfh.com. For more information, please call Hultgren Funeral Home at 630-668-0027.