Marilyn Neubauer, age 82 of Ardmore, OK went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, January 3rd, 2023. A mass will be held in her honor on Monday, January 9th at 2:00 pm at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Ardmore with Father Oby Zunmas officiating. Visitation and praying of the Rosary will be held on Sunday, January 8th at 6:00 pm at Craddock's Funeral Home.

Marilyn Maxine Neubauer, was the daughter of Nicholas and Christine Maxine (Blass) Hoch Sr., and was born on May 18th, 1940 in Whittemore, IA. She was the oldest of 6 kids and delighted in her big family and growing up on the farm. After graduation from Cylinder High School in Iowa, she attended Mankato State College in Minnesota majoring in Vocational Home Economics with a minor in Physical Education, and later received her Masters Degree in Elementary Education from East Central University, where she would follow her enduring passion of helping others. While working at the Badlands in South Dakota the summer of 1961, she met the love of her life and forever best friend, Larry. In 1963, they were happily married and started on their lifelong adventure together spanning from Virginia, Hawaii, Texas, Iowa, Minnesota, and finally settling in Oklahoma where they were able to raise their three children in a community that slowly became an extension of family.

Marilyn served as a role model and active mentor as a 5th grade teacher at Dickson Elementary school until she retired in 1995. While teaching she was honored for being runner up teacher of the year in St. James, MN, Dickson Teacher of the Year and also Carter County Teacher of the Year. After retirement, she worked part time as the Religious Education Director at St. Mary's Catholic Church and was the Carter County Retired Senior Volunteer Program Coordinator. She enjoyed being a 4-H leader, being active in the Carter County and Dickson HCE groups, St. Mary's Church, card club, cooking, traveling (notably serving as a park ranger in the Colorado Rockies), volunteering at the church thrift store and various other organizations, and sharing her unconditional love and encouragement to anyone needing a helping hand. A woman after God's own heart, Marilyn was nicknamed a saint by friends and family and happily practiced compassion and selfless servitude amidst any opportunity that arose. Her resilience and incessant positivity through adversity in her own life served as an inspiration to all who were blessed to know her. She was accepting, creative, generous, skilled in way too many sectors to name, and was a light to everyone around.

Marilyn loved spending time with her family near and far and watching her grandkids grow up. She could spend hours playing games with them. She enjoyed traveling and was always up for a new adventure! She graced her family with singing happy birthday in her sweet off-key tone and made sure milestones and anniversaries were never missed. She had a way of making everyone around her feel special and loved as only she could. She was truly an angel on earth.

She is survived by her husband of 59 years Larry Neubauer of the home; son Leland Neubauer and wife Sandy of Norman, OK, daughters Kristi Leon and husband Juan of Plano, TX and Jennifer Robertson and husband Lee of Seneca, SC; grandchildren Hailey Pacheco and her husband Kyle, Tye Neubauer, Audrey Parrish, Bridget Parrish, Alex Robertson and Ashley Robertson; her brothers Nicholas Hoch, Jim Hoch, sister Lois Hostettler and many special nieces and nephews.