Marilynn Kay Simpson (Marilynn Blake), age 81, of Independence, Missouri, passed away on October 31, 2025, after a period of declining health.

She was born on January 22, 1944, in Calamus, Iowa, the daughter of Leonard Sr. and Hazel (Macomber) Chase. Marilynn was raised and schooled in the Calamus area. She married at age 18 and four years later became a devoted mother to the first of her five children. Marilynn’s greatest joy and vocation was being a wife, mother, and homemaker, and she took immense pride in her family.

Marilynn loved being social. She was an avid dancer and loved listening to country and gospel music. A true nature lover, Marilynn had a passion for cultivating her flower gardens, which were a source of great pride and documented in countless pictures she loved to share. Over the years, she was blessed with many loving dogs, and Marilynn’s favorite breed was the miniature poodle. Other cherished pastimes included playing cards, sewing, and baking—she even baked wedding cakes for others during different periods of her life. Marilynn’s family and friends will forever treasure the memory of her warmth and contagious laugh.

Marilynn is survived by four of her loving children:  Timothy (Julia) Blake of Iowa City, IA, Theresa Blake of Dubuque, IA, Brendalyn Blake of Shawnee, KS, Susan (Ken) Royster of Lee’s Summit, MO.

She also leaves behind her grandchildren: Giovanni (Tohco) Caniglia of Overland Park, KS, Logan Faley of Lee’s Summit MO, and William Royster of Independence, MO; and great-grandchildren: Braelyn and Olivia Faley.

Marilynn is also survived by her siblings: Sharon (Richard) Schwein of Calamus, IA, Leonard, Jr. (Patty) Chase of Basco, IL, and Andy Chase of Manchester, IA.

Marilynn was preceded in death by her son, William Blake, her parents, Leonard Sr. and Hazel (Macomber) Chase; and her three brothers, Jan (Judy) Chase, James (Beverly) Chase, and Rev. Jerry (Julie) Chase, her niece Kristina Chase, her cousin Kevin Bleile.

To celebrate Marilynn’s life, family and friends may visit from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, Dubuque IA. Funeral services will immediately follow the visitation at 11:00 a.m., followed by the burial in Cascade Community Cemetery.

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Agape Care Group Hospice for all their compassionate and loving care of Marilynn during her last years.

Cards and memorials in Marilynn’s memory may be mailed to Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, Dubuque, Iowa 52001, Attn. Marilynn Simpson Family.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.behrfuneralhome.com