Marilyn Jean (Rentschler) Gibbs, 86, of Manchester, Iowa, passed away on Friday, December 26,
2025, at her home. She was born on May 5, 1939, on the Rentschler farm on a hill facing the Turkey River
outside of Elkport, the daughter of Mark and Maxine (Kafer) Rentschler. Marilyn was so tiny that she fit
in a shoe box. The doctor said that she would not survive, but she did. She grew up in Clayton County and
attended a number of one room schools, including Velerson, Halverson, Filling, and Eno Schools. The
family always lived far from the schools and she had to walk to school no matter the weather. In 1952,
her family moved to a farm north of Strawberry Point, where she graduated from Strawberry Point High
School.

Marilyn helped take care of the animals while on the farm because she loved being around them. She
made butter, homemade soap, mowed the lawn, helped tend the garden, and took care of her younger
sisters, Judy and Betty Jane. This was quite a chore for a young person growing up.
In 1957, Marilyn was united in marriage to the love of life, Lain Gibbs, at Emanuel Lutheran Church in
Strawberry Point. One son was born to this union. Marilyn liked making bread and serving friends. She
enjoyed attending many Bible studies over the years. She also liked feeding the birds and wildlife while
living in the country. In her spare time, she loved to square and ballroom dance, play games, or grab a
good book.

Survivors include her husband of 68 years, Lain Gibbs of Manchester; her son; two sisters, Dr. Betty
Hanson of Alhambra, California, and Judy Glesne of Omaha, Nebraska; and many nieces and nephews.
Marilyn was preceded in death by her father, Mark Rentschler; her mother, Maxine (Kafer) Rentschler
Hanson; her stepfather, Howard Hanson; her brother, Carl Rentschler; and a brother-in-law, Gene Glesne.
Online condolences may be sent to www.leonard-mullerfh.com .

Funeral Service: 11:00 a.m., on Friday, January 2, 2026, at First Lutheran Church in Manchester, Iowa,
with Rev. Kurt Pasko officiating.

Visitation: 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., on Friday, January 2, 2026, at First Lutheran Church in Manchester, Iowa.
Interment: Oakland Cemetery – Manchester, Iowa