Marlys, or Mickey as she was known, was born on January 19, 1929, one of ten children, to Joseph and Louisa Kass Steilen. In 1947 she graduated high school, in Alexandria, South Dakota, where she was a cheerleader and served on the speech team and school newspaper. She graduated first in her class from beauty college in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and worked as a beautician, with clients who included the wife of the founder of the Harley-Davidson Company. She married her high school sweetheart, and love of her life, David C Schlimgen, on September 17, 1949. They lovingly raised six children while serving in the US Air Force at bases in the U.S. and Germany. She had 12 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild, all of their photos lovingly displayed on her refrigerator.
Mickey and David were devout members of Saint John Catholic Church since their arrival in Hot Springs in 1967. She served in the Women’s Circle there for many years.
After raising her children, she worked at Wheeler Printing and Oaklawn Racetrack. Her hobbies included bowling, gardening, cooking and she loved all sports. She enjoyed traveling, and visited many parts of the United States including Hawaii and much of Europe.
She is survived by: two siblings, Lenore Stainbrook and Sister Lenore Steilen of the Order of Saint Francis; her children Michael Schlimgen, Patty Hunt, Terry Schlimgen, Vicki Jo Wyatt (departed), Greg Schlimgen, Scott Schlimgen, twelve grandchildren, Angela Kester, Mark Schlimgen, Matthew Schlimgen, Laura Barrett, Jeffery Hunt, Chris Hunt (departed), Kevin Hunt, Terri Ann Holley, Nathan Wyatt, Nash Wyatt (departed), Nicholas Wyatt and Thomas Schlimgen, and twenty great-grand children, Helena Cook, Phynix Saldana, Aurora Jackson, Memphis Schlimgen, Shelby Schlimgen, Madison Schlimgen, Lane Schlimgen, Avery Jeffery, Braden Kester, Cayman Kester, Colin Hunt, Penelope Hunt, Ramona Hunt, Noah Starr, Tyler Holley, Amelia Wyatt, Caroline Wyatt, Charlotte Wyatt, Riley Wyatt, Nora Jo Wyatt, and one great-great Grandchild, Asena Cook.
Visitation will be at Gross Funeral Home on Monday, July 10, from 5-7 PM. The funeral will be at St. John Catholic Church on Tuesday, July 11, at 10 AM, preceded by a viewing at 9 AM and recital of the rosary at 9:30. She will be laid to rest at Crestview Cemetery with her departed husband David.
