Marilyn R. Ellison

Marilyn R. Ellison of Cozad passed away August 15, 2017 at Cozad Community Hospital at the age of 85. Marilyn was born January 28, 1932 at Gothenburg, Nebraska to Elmer and Margaret (Barnes) Ellison. She attended country schools north of Cozad and graduated from Gothenburg High School in 1949. After graduating, she enjoyed working with the Art Aden family and aunt and uncle, Stella and Bernard Rubenthaler, helping care for their children and her grandmother. After recuperating from rheumatic fever, she moved to Schuyler, Nebraska where she worked in the Schuyler Nursing Home for five years. She returned to Cozad to help a cousin, Max France, care for his children after his wife Opal passed away. Marilyn was employed at the Cozad Community Hospital for 33 years, part time in the Nursing Home and later in the Hospital. She started baking cookies for friends and relatives and later established her own little cookie business out of her home. She baked cookies for folks in Cozad, Gothenburg, Lexington, North Platte and Kearney. She also baked goodies for some organizations and businesses in the area. Marilyn was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Cozad and the 100th Meridian Museum. She was a Brownie and Girl Scout Leader, Sunday School Teacher and 4-H Leader. She was an annual contributor to the March of Dimes Cake Auction since its' beginning. Marilyn was the recipient of the Ak-Sar-Ben Good Neighbor Award and The Caring Kind Employee of the Year Award from the Nebraska Hospital Association. She was inducted into the Healthcare Hall of Fame through the Cozad Hospital Foundation in 2005. Marilyn spent the last years of her life with the support and care of the staff at Cozad Care and Rehabilitation Center. She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Marjorie Brown and her husband Lyle; and nephew, Greg Smith. Survivors include her niece, Beth Smith of Olathe, KS; her God Child, Miranda Coleman of Lincoln, NE; many relatives and extended family; her caregivers and special friends. Memorials are suggested to the First Presbyterian Church or Cozad Community Hospital. Online condolences may be shared at berrymanfuneralhome.com. A memorial service will be held Saturday, August 19, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Cozad with Pastor Jill Boyd officiating. Private family inurnment will be at Gothenburg Cemetery. Those wishing to sign the memorial book may do so on Friday from 1 to 5 at Berryman Funeral Home.