Marilyn Heiner

Marilyn Heiner, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, friend, daughter and sister passed away on March 6, 2026, surrounded by her family.

She is survived by 5 children, 21 grandchildren, 37 great grandchildren, and 1 great great grandchild.

Marilyn was born in Oakley, Idaho on December 22, 1931, to John F. Martin and Claudia McMurray Martin. Marilyn is the oldest of six. She had three sisters; Evelyn, Laurell and Jean; and 2 brothers Johnny Ray and Ronny Kay.

At Oakley High School, Marilyn was the Prom Queen, along with Bob Heiner who was the Prom King. She played the trombone in the Oakley Marching Band, which she thoroughly enjoyed. She looked forward to performing with the band, and adored being a social butterfly. After graduating from high school in 1950, she married Robert (Bob) Heiner, the love of her life, in the Salt Lake Temple on September 19, 1951.

Marilyn had many talents and gifts. Her organizational skills earned her a job as an executive secretary, where she worked and supported Bob while he earned his PhD in Plant Genetics. She was then able to earn her Interior Design degree from the University of Minnesota in 1973. She worked at JCPenney for many years as an interior decorator until she started her own company, Interiors by Marilyn.

She accomplished all of the above while having and raising six children: Jill, Randy, Greg, Jan, Mark and Jeff. She enjoyed throwing dinner parties, luncheons, and picnics for her friends and family. She would organize and set the table beautifully, color coordinated with center pieces, candles, napkins, and the silverware “just so”.

Marilyn was an excellent cook. She made delicious meals for her family and friends. Bob especially loved her cooking and called it “better than the finest restaurant!”. He was so right. Her daughters kept all of her family recipes and have passed them down to their children.

Marilyn loved her husband, her family, and her friends. She filled her home with beauty, joy and laughter, while still working through and dealing with the trials of life. Her goal in life was to see her family and children succeed and have happy lives. A goal she never abandoned.

In 1977 Marilyn and Bob, along with sons, Mark and Jeff, left Minnesota and his job at the University of Minnesota and moved to Loveland, Colorado to lead a research facility developing hybrid wheat varieties at North American Plant Breeders. Marilyn loved the new landscape of the Rocky Mountains and often took the short drive to Estes Park, a base for Rocky Mountain National Park, with beautiful and endless trails, wildlife, streams and flowers. They loved the outdoors. Marilyn planned an almost endless series of hiking trips with her children and grandchildren for holidays and birthdays. Her love of nature was passed down to her children, and they passed it on to their children. She organized camping trips and reunions for 70 years. Her children all loved her so much and appreciated her hard work.

After 9 years in Colorado, Marilyn and Bob along with son, Jeff moved to Overland Park, Kansas when Bob was promoted to Vice President of Research. Once again Marilyn adapted to and loved Kansas City, making many new friends and expanding her social group.

In 1993, Marilyn and Bob moved to Salt Lake City to retire in the West, closer to many family members and a short drive to their birthplace, Oakley Idaho, where Marilyn’s mother still lived.

Marilyn had a great love of the humanities: Art, literature, poetry, history, philosophy, music and theater shown through to all who knew her. She also had many hobbies including antiquing, sewing, quilting, baking, hiking, camping, playing cards and games and many other social activities.

After retirement, Marilyn volunteered at the Utah Heritage Foundation for 20 plus years. She hosted many tours of the Governor’s mansion teaching tourists about the History of Utah’s buildings and government facilities. Her happy, bubbly personality won over everyone who knew her. She was in the Newcomers Club where she had fun getting everyone together for lunches, dinners, hikes, dances, costume parties, picnics, and playing cards. She savored every moment.

Marilyn is loved by so many. The world is now absent one lovely, amazing woman. She will be greatly missed.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 21st at 11:00-12:00.

Funeral Services will follow directly after the visitation at 12:00. 

Visitation and Services will be held at 

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 755 Three Fountains Cir., Murray, UT 84107.