She grew up in Manhattan, KS and graduated from Manhattan High School and Kansas State University.
Marilyn was a member of Pi Beta Phi, PEO Chapter BR, and Deacon and Elder of Westminster Presbyterian Church. She volunteered at Cedars Nursery School and for the Nebraska State Library Commission as a narrator for the Talking Books Program for the Blind. Marilyn moved to St. Louis, MO in 2020 to be near her family.
Marilyn is survived by her sons Richard (Nancy) Groff and Gary (Paula) Groff; daughters Nancy (Rob) Fishbein and Janice (Mark) Brown; grandchildren Stacey Groff, Patrick Groff, Julie (Ted) Williamson, Kelly Kirtland, Amy (Daniel) Johnson, Brian (Danielle) Brown, Mark Mitchell Brown, and Tara Waddell; and six great-grandchildren.
Preceded in death by her husband Richard C. Groff and late husband William H. Palmer.
Private family graveside service.