Marilyn Miller

A funeral service for Marilyn will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, April 5 at Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ in Des Moines, Iowa. Her family will host a reception immediately following the service. A family burial will take place at Evergreen Cemetery in Anita, Iowa.

Marilyn Ruth (Posvar) Miller peacefully passed away surrounded by her family on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at Bridge Haven Memory Care in Lawrence, Kansas. Born December 27, 1947, to William M. Posvar and Evelyn A. (Smith) Posvar, Marilyn grew up with her two sisters, Anita and Nancy, in Deshler, Nebraska. She earned a bachelor's degree in education with a major focus in Spanish from Nebraska Wesleyan College followed by a master's degree in Spanish literature from Kansas State University. As a young adult, Marilyn lived abroad in Mexico and Bogotá, Colombia, refining her language skills and learning to appreciate the richness of intercultural exchange.

She married David A. Miller on April 14, 1973, in Des Moines, Iowa, starting a happy marriage that lasted over 50 years. Together they raised their only child, Valerie Lynn, with whom they are very pleased.

Teaching was a great love of Marilyn's life. Senora Miller, as she was known at Des Moines East and Roosevelt High Schools, had great students. Marilyn's best days were when she ran into a former student and heard how they were using the Spanish language in their life and career. There were many, many such days.

She came alive when helping people of any age understand one another across cultures or language differences. In addition to her professional teaching career, Marilyn contributed her gifts in the business and legal spheres. She worked as a court interpreter, a freelance translator, and for many years as President of Language Services International, LLC, where she brought together professional translators from every corner of the globe with corporations seeking to expand their reach into international markets.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents. Surviving her are her husband David, daughter Valerie and son-in-law Benjamin Miller-Coleman, three grandchildren, Lucy, Leo, and Lawrence, sisters Anita Harms and Nancy Green, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Marilyn is deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

For more information or to post a condolence go to warrenmcelwain.com.