Marilyn Anderson Klingman

Marilyn Anderson Klingman, also known affectionately as “The Grizzly Bear” or “The Griz”, was born on October 21, 1934, in Evanston, Illinois, to Percy and Bernice Anderson. Marilyn was the third of 4 children. Marilyn spent her summers at the family home in Door County, Wisconsin, a wonderful place that is still in the family to this day. She was a popular girl at Evanston Township High School and maintained ties to the end of her life with her high school girls’ group, The Leslie Club. Marilyn attended Northwestern University in Evanston, where she met the love of her life, that outgoing and brash Texan, Bill Klingman. Bill and Marilyn married after her sophomore year when Bill graduated. They moved to Texas and Marilyn never looked back! She loved Texas! Bill and Marilyn began their married life in Harlingen, Texas, while Bill fulfilled his ROTC commitment to the US Air Force. Those were some of their happiest and most carefree years, and they made many lifelong friends while serving there. One of them was Pete Rush, whom they introduced to Bill’s younger sister, Donna. Marilyn and Bill proved to be excellent matchmakers as Donna and Pete were married. So began a lifelong friendship and family connection stronger than many for the four of them. After his Air Force service ended, Bill began his career in the insurance industry with the Equitable Life Insurance Association. They moved several times and, while living in Oklahoma City, their first son, Bruce, was born. By the time Steve came along 3 years later, they were settled in Dallas. Marilyn lived a full life as a mother, serving many jobs in the PTA, active in her alum group for Delta Delta Delta Sorority, which she served as President, as well as many other civic activities. In 1960, Bill and Pete went into partnership together in their own insurance agency, Rush & Klingman. Marilyn was a very important part of Bill’s career, as they would frequently entertain clients at home, and she and Donna were also needed to fill in at the office occasionally in the early days of the agency.

Marilyn’s life changed when her older son, Bruce, left for college. Even though Steve was still at home, she hated that one of her darling boys was gone, so she found a job in the boys’ department of Culwell & Sons. Her bubbly personality made her a natural salesperson and she loved the job! Many of the younger people she worked with remember her fondly to this day as such a joyous person to work with at the store. When Bruce graduated from college and married, he and his wife moved to Dallas and Marilyn began another phase of her life as a loving mother-in-law. Grandchildren soon followed and within several years Marilyn had two daughters in law and four grandchildren She was the best grandmother, always getting a Christmas list from her grandchildren, dyeing Easter eggs for them and just generally being the best grandmother she could. Every summer the entire family would be together having a wonderful time at the family cottage built by her grandfather in Door County, Wisconsin. Many happy family memories came from those weeks together at Lake Michigan, fishing and hiking and just enjoying each other’s company in that special place.

Bill passed away suddenly in 1998 and Marilyn found a new focus for her life; devoting herself to family and friends. She was always available to everyone who needed her. The family continued to be together every summer in Door County and that always was the most special time for her, as well as the rest of us. The grandchildren would bring their friends and she became Grandma Grizzly to all of them!

Throughout her adult life Marilyn battled against the physical limitations from a devastating auto accident in 1968. No one ever knew how hard she worked to stay active and she never uttered a word of complaint. However, these injuries finally caught up with her and she lost her mobility. Marilyn passed into eternal rest on Easter Sunday, April 1, 2018. What a wonderful day to go to heaven!

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, her dear sister Shirley Hendrix,her husband Bill and son Steven. She is survived by her brother Frank Anderson and her sister Ellen Dawson; her sister in law Donna Rush, son Bruce Klingman and his wife, Barbara, her daughter in law Leslie Klingman, granddaughters Anne Klingman Holmes, Elizabeth Klingman DuFlo and Mary Klingman and her grandson Carson Klingman. She is also survived by her two great-grandchildren, Campbell Holmes and Virginia DuFlo, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

The family is grateful for the loving care she received, first at Caruth Haven Court and at the end at Sage Oaks Home, from Thelma and all the loving ladies there. We thank you all!

The family will receive visitors on Sunday, April 8, at Sparkman Hillcrest Funeral Home from 5-7 pm. The funeral will take place on Monday, April 9, at 2 pm at the Church of the Incarnation, 3966 McKinney Ave, Dallas, TX, 75204.

Pallbearers are Carson Klingman, Parker Rush, David Dawson, Tim Hendrix, Todd Hendrix, Justin Milici, Jimmy Dawson and Olin Lancaster.

Memorials may be made to the Church of the Incarnation, 3966 McKinney Avenue, Dallas, TX 75204.