Marilyn Wixom Obituary
September 26, 2025
Marilyn Stover Wixom (80) Obituary
October 7, 1944 – August 16, 2025
Marilyn Dee Stover was born in Pocatello, Idaho, and raised in Blackfoot, Idaho by parents, Austin & Opal Stover. Rounding out the family were her two brothers, Gene (Gail), and Ronald (both deceased). Marilyn is survived by her husband, Bill R Wixom, son Rick (Angel) Wixom, and daughters, Jolene Wixom and Staci (Burt) Jacobs, in addition to six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Her parents instilled an early love for three things which directed nearly every aspect of her life: Love of God and His son, Jesus; Love of and dedication to family; passion for gardening and canning her bounty.
During the formative years of Marilyn’s life, she was involved in many social groups which would shape her heart for a mission of service to others later in life: UMC Youth, Job’s Daughters, Girl Scouts, and 4-H. A life-long member of the United Methodist Church, she professed her faith and gave her heart to Jesus at 13 years old while an active youth at Jason Lee Memorial in Blackfoot. Marilyn became an active leader for the SVUMC Youth Group from 1979 through 1988, helping other young people to discover and proclaim their own faith in Jesus as their Lord and Savior. One of her favorite Bible passages was Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden…In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” It was this dedication to sharing the love of Christ that led Marilyn to be very active in the United Women in Faith, volunteering her time and talents for the uplifting of others in her community.
Marilyn met the love of her life, Bill Wixom, also a Blackfoot area native, and became Mrs. Bill R. Wixom on August 3, 1963, a title she held in the highest of honors. Along with a name change came an incredibly responsible role – the C.O.O. of a military family which regularly changed residential locations around the United States and Germany. Marilyn made sure that each of her children were fully settled and engaged in multiple activities no matter our location or the season in which we were relocating. Her jovial and engaging personality were instrumental in making sure we were quick to find new friends within weeks of relocation. Texas, Florida, Kentucky (twice) and Germany (twice) were all places we lived and she made “home”, all while fulfilling her duties as an Officer’s wife. She thrived under these pressures.
Marilyn was sure to see that each child in the family was involved in many different social and skill-developing organizations, taking on advisorship roles within each group: Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4-H, DeMolay and Job’s Daughters, and UMC Youth Group. Her friend circles built through these organizations were likely as large as those her children built, and she became known as “Mom Wixom” by every young person she met.
Upon settling in Spokane Valley following Bill’s retirement from active military duty in 1978, Marilyn began work in organizing the households of our neighborhood into a large social and protective environment. Most of her closest friends were made within the “R-Valley Acres” development, and with those friends some of the most epic parties and celebrations were held, creating a neighborhood that everyone felt fortunate to live in.
Marilyn’s favorite activities included tending a huge vegetable and flower garden, lake fishing with Bill and her grandchildren, camping and traveling to visit friends and family around the Country in their various RVs and trailers, as well as enjoying several ocean cruises to several locations around the world. No matter the activity, it was very clear that Marilyn was near, made evident by her boisterous and joy-filled laughter and contagious smile.
Mom, we love and miss your brilliant smile, but the memories you helped us all have with you will tend to our hearts until we meet again in God’s Paradise. Thank you for all of your love and friendship!
Please visit this link to view the slideshow of her life:
https://www.riplingerfuneralhome.com/obituaries/marilyn-wixom