Marilyn Kay Wyse was born on April 1, 1940, in Goshen, Indiana, to Solomon and Sylvia Kropf. She passed away peacefully in the comfort of her home on Thursday, October 8, 2026.
Marilyn was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Samuel Raymond Wyse, and her brothers, Robert Kropf and Charles Kropf, both of Goshen, Indiana.
Marilyn attended Jefferson High School, and met Samuel Raymond Wyse of Wayland, Iowa, during her junior year. They were married on August 11, 1957, and together raised three children: Carla Shively of Goshen, Indiana; Todd Wyse (Lucinda) of New Palestine, Indiana; and Crystal Wyse of Goshen, Indiana.
She is survived by her three children; four beloved grandchildren, Allison (Chris) Snyder, Kyle Wyse, Grant Shively, and Devyn Shively; and three precious great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, Vern Kropf of Port Charlotte, Florida, and her sister-in-law, Dorothy Kropf of Waterford, Indiana.
Marilyn was a woman of deep faith who dearly loved her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She was also a devoted prayer warrior. In her earlier years of faith, people in her church were often heard to say, “If you need someone to pray for you, ask Marilyn. She is a prayer warrior!” Even in her later years, when her body no longer allowed her to leave home, she could often be found in the privacy of her bedroom, deep in prayer at any hour of the day.
Marilyn also had a heart for missions and was blessed to experience mission trips to Israel and Costa Rica, opportunities that reflected her faith and love for the Lord.
Marilyn and Sam shared a love of travel and adventure. Some of her most cherished memories were made traveling throughout the United States on their Honda Goldwing motorcycle alongside several other couples. She would often say, “The only way to see this beautiful country is from the open seat of a motorcycle!” Although they also enjoyed an Alaskan cruise and a trip to Hawaii, it was the many miles spent exploring the country by motorcycle that remained among her most treasured memories.
During the early years of raising her children, Marilyn devoted herself to homemaking. She often sewed clothes for her children. She also spent many hours preserving the harvest from the family garden through canning and freezing.
When her children began attending school full-time, Marilyn became an independent sales consultant for House of Decorative Accessories (H.O.D.A.), where her love of decorating truly flourished. She excelled at creating beautiful silk floral arrangements and became one of the company’s top consultants nationwide, earning numerous awards for her accomplishments
As the seasons of life changed, Marilyn was blessed to develop a special circle of friends in her neighborhood. The ladies gathered weekly for lunch at Martin’s Side Door Deli, a tradition she looked forward to with great anticipation. She affectionately referred to these wonderful women as “The Lunch Bunch,” and the friendship and fellowship they shared became a cherished part of her last years.
Marilyn will be remembered for her unwavering faith, her devotion to her family, her adventurous spirit, her creative gifts, and the meaningful friendships she cultivated throughout her life.