Marilyn L. Holaday

Marilyn Lou (Friend) Holaday, 83, entered into her heavenly home on February 21, 2025, at Oak Pointe in Maryville, Missouri.

God saw she was getting tired, and a cure was not to be. So, He put His arms around her and whispered, “come with Me”. With tearful eyes we watched her suffer and slowly fade away. Although we loved her dearly, we could not make her stay. God broke our hearts to prove to us. He only takes the best.

Marilyn was born on July 5, 1941, on the family farm in Skidmore, Missouri. Her parents were Edgar and Roberta (Haist) Friend.

She graduated from Graham High School in 1959, and attended Platte-Gard Business University in St. Joseph, Missouri. She married Gary N. Dowling on August 19, 1959. Beginning their married life together, they farmed and ran a diary farm West of Maryville until 1968 when they purchased a farm West of Skidmore, Missouri.

She prepared and delivered many meals to work crews in the field and loved working in her large garden. In the little free time that farming allowed, she and Gary enjoyed square dancing and playing cards with friends and neighbors. They later divorced.

Marilyn was of the Christian faith and a member of the First Christian Church in Maryville.

As a young wife and mother, she was in charge of the morning milking of the cows before going to work. She was a very creative and talented lady, there wasn’t much she couldn’t do. She was a talented seamstress and quilter. She made her own wedding dress and practically all of Sindy’s clothes. 

She would window shop at Einbender’s Department Store downtown St. Joseph, go home and make a pattern using newspapers or grocery sacks and fashion outfits staying up all hours of the night, even making tiny Barbie clothes and doll clothes for Christmas gifts. She also enjoyed cake decorating. 

Christmas was her absolute favorite holiday, and she loved decorating the house and celebrating. Marilyn’s family had a very special place in her heart and the grandkids and great grandkids could always put a smile on her face and make her day. She was an excellent cook and loved cooking for others. 

She worked at Citizens State Bank and then took a job at Nodaway Valley Bank, retiring after 35 years as an Administrative Assistant. After retirement she worked at First American/Hall Abstract & Title Co, and Nodaway County Abstract & Title Co., as a closing agent. 

Marilyn married Donald R Holaday on June 29, 2010. They celebrated 13 years of marriage before Don passed away on August 16, 2023.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Edgar and Roberta Friend, brother Gary Friend, husband Donald Holaday, son-in-law, Carey Barr, and grandson Rob Lowrance.

Survivors include her daughter, Sindy Barr (Kelly Culp), granddaughters Megan (Eric) Redden, Stanberry, Missouri, and Lauren (Hunter) Thurley, Nashville, Tennessee and grandson Michael (Amanda) Barr, Willard, Missouri. Great grandchildren Grace, Michaela, Titus and Asher Barr, Cade, Cruz and Knox Redden and Thurley twins on the way. She is also survived by niece Renee’ (Rusty) Hatton, Fadette, Alabama, and great nephews Drew, Will and John Cole. She also leaves behind Kelly’s daughter, Shelby Culp (Eric Craig) and Shannon Culp (Tyler Zimmerman) and Shelby’s children Ella & Easton Culp. In addition, survivors include Don’s daughters Donella (Steve) Sherry, Kathe (Steve) DeMott and Jayne (Scott) McGinness, their children, grandchildren and numerous cousins. 

Marilyn had been cremated under the care of the Bram Funeral Home, Maryville, Missouri. No services are planned at this time. Her cremains will be buried on the Nodaway Memorial Gardens at a later date. 

Memorials can be made in Marilyn’s name to the Alzheimer's Association, Three Oaks Hospice, of a charity of the donor’s choice.