Marilyn Louise Ketcham Newman of Adair died December 16, 2025, at the Exira Care Center and went to be with her Savior, Jesus Christ.
Marilyn was born August 29, 1938, in Council Bluffs, IA to William Michael Raymond Ketcham and Hilda Victorine (Lenfant) Ketcham.
She was baptized on October 2, 1938, and confirmed her faith in her Lord on March 18, 1951, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Council Bluffs, IA. She attended schools in Council Bluffs and
graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in 1956.
On August 11, 1957, she and Earl Edwin Newman of Adair, IA, were married at St Paul Lutheran Church in Council Bluffs, IA. Their marriage was blessed with two children, Amy Louise and
Faith Marie.
Marilyn was devoted to God and her family. She loved worship, Bible study, welcoming church visitors and encouraging the grieving. As a life-long Lutheran, Marilyn served her Lord in a
variety of capacities. She taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, Catechism and Women’s Bible studies. She was a leader in promoting mission projects, social ministries and
organ donation in positions to which God called her and empowered her to serve Him and His people.
In the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) she served locally in various positions. I She also served as zone secretary, district secretary and vice president, and on the LWML
international mission projects committee. Marilyn was a member of the LCMS Iowa District West missions committee. And at the 1995 LCMS Synodical convention, she served as a voting delegate and member of the missions floor committee.
Marilyn was an empathetic listener. She enjoyed reading, writing, music, sewing and learning new concepts. She collected and shared family history, Christian quotations, recipes and
pertinent cartoons.
Graveside service was held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 20, 2025, at Memorial Park Cemetery “Woodlawn Section” in Council Bluffs, Iowa (1350 E Pierce St, Council Bluffs, IA 51503).
A visitation with the family will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Friday, February 06, 2026, at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Adair, IA.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, February 07, 2026, at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church (8301 Aurora Ave, Urbandale, IA 50322) with a luncheon to follow in the church’s fellowship hall. A visitation will be hosted one hour before the service on Saturday at the church.
Memorials may be directed to The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod in St. Louis, MO, or to Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Urbandale, IA, in memory of Marilyn. They may be mailed to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 523, Atlantic, IA 50022.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home of Adair, IA.
