Marilyn Kay Leichty, 80, of Mount Pleasant, Iowa passed away on August 15, 2021. Marilyn was born in Mount Pleasant on June 30, 1941, the daughter of Raymond and Doris (Roth) Graber. She graduated from Iowa Mennonite School and continued on in her education to receive a bachelor’s degree in nursing at Goshen College. Her postgraduate education included master’s degrees in nursing and sociology, as well as a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Iowa.
Marilyn was united in marriage to Norman Hoyt Leichty on May 19, 1974. They were married for 47 years and had three children together. Her career as a nurse and professor of nursing and sociology included instruction at Hesston College, Director of Nursing at Goshen College and Iowa Wesleyan University, and Director of Sociology at Iowa Wesleyan University. She volunteered at The Crowded Closet and The Fellowship Cup and was a member of the board of the Parkview Home. She was an active member of the Pleasant View Mennonite Church and served in several capacities throughout her life. Marilyn enjoyed spending time in her garden and turning the harvest into innovative meals and canned goods. She promoted critical thinking and inclusion of those on the fringes of society.
Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband Norman and their three children: Ellen Leichty and Mitchell Havard of Christiana, PA, Jonathan and Amanda Bleichty of Mount Pleasant, IA, and Mary Leichty and Andrew Gingerich of Canby, OR, as well as four grandchildren. Also surviving are brothers Gerald Graber of Freeman, SD and Russel Graber of Hesston, KS. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Iowa PBS in celebration of her dedication to education.
A memorial service will be held at the Sugar Creek Mennonite Church on Saturday, July 9 at 10:30 am.
