Marilyn M. Adams

Peacefully and surrounded by her loving and devoted daughters, Marilyn Martha (Remmers) Adams passed away on October 2nd after a long illness. She was ninety-two. Marilyn was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 58 years, Lowell, her parents, brother Roger Remmers, and sister Pauline Braddy. The first-born child of John S and Elta M. (Stanton) Remmers, Marilyn was born in Freeport and grew up on a farm in Smokey Hollow during her early years. After graduating from Freeport High School in 1948, Marilyn married Lowell H. Adams on August 14, 1948, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, IA. Early in her marriage, she assisted her husband in two businesses before going to work at Micro Switch/Honeywell for 30+ years until her retirement. Marilyn and her husband Lowell loved the outdoors and camping. From early in their marriage with children in utero or babies in arms, they camped nearly every summer weekend in Wisconsin and beyond from the early 1950s through the mid 70's. The car was fueled up and packed every Thursday night to take off immediately after their shift ended at Micro. With Linda and Lana in tow, they would head out on camping expeditions accompanied often by their friends Opal and Harvey Wilhems and their children, Barb and Harvey Lee. Marilyn kept kids and adults moving with fortifying meals and controlling the chaos so both children and grownups could catch frogs, play in the mud, swim or fish. Marilyn turned in her camp stove and tent for a houseboat on the Mississippi River in the early 1970s that was constructed by the whole family and their friends, Opal and Harvey. A similar pattern emerged for the houseboat as it did for camping. By then, however, Lowell and Marilyn had enough vacation that they would leave for the river on Wednesday night, taking every Thursday and Friday off all summer. Arriving with grandchildren in tow, the houseboat was a place of many family gatherings and vivid childhood memories for all the grandchildren- fishing, swimming, boating, food and family time together. An excellent cook, Marilyn served up her houseboat specialties, like her pan-fried fish (with peanut butter in the pan with the oil for the smell), salads, like cucumbers and onions and her mouthwatering homemade potato salad and delicious houseboat breakfasts that fed hungry grandchildren and adults who were there to relax and enjoy nature together, and maybe catch some fish along the way. After retirement, Lowell and Marilyn moved full time to Florida and lived in the Wildwood area for 15 years until Lowell's death. While in Florida, she continued her love of crafting and shopping, often taking visitors to the flea market in Wildwood to find unique items and bargains. Another family favorite spot to visit was Homosassa Springs to see the manatees. Marilyn is survived by her two daughters; Linda Adams Foat (Merlyn), Freeport; Lana Schuck (Michael) Freeport, 6 grandchildren; Cherity Foat, Madison, WI, Anthony (Nicole) Foat, of Warrens, WI, Michael (Yen Luu) Beck of Phoenix, AZ., Joseph Beck of Virginia Beach, VA, Stephany (Ryan) Standley, Wakefield, MA, and Emily (Kris) Valkema, Freeport. She also had 8 great grandchildren; James, Margaret and Lilie Foat of Warrens, WI, Ethan Yepiz-Foat, Madison, WI, Aiden Valkema, Freeport; Elaine and Joseph Standley, Wakefield, MA and Justin Barnhall, Virginia Beach, VA. She is also survived by one sister, Darlene Shouer, Oregon, IL and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at the chapel at Chapel Hill Cemetery in Freeport, IL on October 22, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will precede the service at 10:00 a.m. Pastor Eddie Eddy of Harmony United Methodist Church will officiate. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established for FHN Hospice. Cemetery Details Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens 2514 IL-26 Freeport, IL 61032 Loading map Previous Events Memorial Visitation OCT 22. 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (CT) Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens 2514 IL-26 Freeport, IL 61032 Loading map Memorial Service OCT 22. 11:00 AM (CT) Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens 2514 IL-26 Freeport, IL 61032 Loading map