Marilyn Wibbenhorst (93) was born on Aug. 2, 1928, in Pasadena, California to parents Roy & Ann Martin. She lived life to the fullest! She spent much of her childhood riding horses; “Sonny Boy” was one of her favorites.
Marilyn earned her degree at USC. It was during this time that she met William (Bill) Wibbenhorst, a student at UCLA. Bill was in the ROTC program for the Navy. In 1952, and just before he would leave for a tour in the Korean War, the two were married. They have four children together: Lynne, William (Billy), Teresa (Terri), and Lee Ann (Lee). Soon after Bill’s discharge, they made the move to Madera. Bill was the love of her life for 68 years.
Marilyn’s move to Madera only increased her love of the outdoors. She loved playing tennis, volleyball, hunting, and riding horses. She especially cherished the time and memories on the LR Martin Ranch. No task was too small for the Wibbenhorst’s. They designed and built their dream home on the hill with their own hands. She also cherished traveling and exploring the world while enjoying its many sights, cuisine, art, and of course, its desserts.
Starting her career in southern California, Marilyn was a social worker. After moving to Madera, she became a teacher working in local education for a number of years.
While she was teaching, she decided to buy Madera Flower Shop, which she owned and operated for 21 years. This business was a favorite pastime of Marilyn’s, “I loved every minute of it”, she would say. Marilyn cherished the time that she would spend with her staff and customers.
Giving back to the community she loved, Marilyn served on the Madera District Fair Board of Directors for over ten years, with leadership and volunteer roles in Camp Fire and 4-H as well. She was a member of the Republican Women and was active with the Madera Downtown Association. She was an active member of St. Joachim Church and was a Eucharistic minister. Marilyn, or Grams, as she was known to the grandkids, will live on in her family because of the thousands of memories created at the LR Martin ranch. Her smile and class will be missed as her memory is cherished.
Marilyn was proceeded in death by her parents: Roy and Ann Martin, her sister Joyce Granger, her husband Bill, and her son-in-law Rick Cosyns. She is survived by her children: Lynne Cosyns, Bill Wibbenhorst and his wife Karen, Terri Jorgensen, and Lee Kreps, and her husband Rich. Her grandchildren: Terrah Tillman and her husband Branden, Brooke Greci and her husband Tommy, Chad Jorgensen-Bambach and his husband Nico, Katelyn Jones-Monreal and her husband Ryan, Andrew Jones and his wife Tiffany, Will Cosyns, and Maggie Cosyns. Her great-grandchildren: Siena Greci, Paul Greci, Hudson Tillman, Lera Tillman, Rylee Jones, and Wyatt Jones.
The family would like to express their gratitude to the wonderful and dedicated caregivers and St. Agnes Hospice
Recitation of the Rosary will be held on, Monday, December 20, 2021, 6:00 p.m. at Jay Chapel, Madera, CA
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, December 21, 2021, 10:00 a.m. at St. Joachim Catholic Church in Madera. Services conclude at the church.
