Obituary: Marilyn Adler
Author: Family of Marilyn Adler
Article Published: // Volume: Edition: May 2, 1935 – May 24, 2026
Marilyn Ann (Sample) Adler, daughter of Herbert Carl and Flora Ann (Hanes) Sample, was born May 2, 1935 in Mercer, Missouri. She was the third of four children: Jeanette, Ardys (Art), Marilyn and Benjamin. Of these three, she was closest to Ben. Shortly after her birth they moved from Missouri. Her dad served as an airplane mechanic in World War II with the Allison Division of General Motors.
One day while in the fourth grade and because of a Bible class she realized why God was not real to her. It was because of her sin. She repented of her sin and believed on the Lord Jesus Christ. A young couple (the Rev. and Mrs. Johnny Kain) came to a small church in Metz, lA, who helped her to grow in the Lord. Her family moved to Colfax IA, where she became a member of the First Baptist Church. Because she dedicated her life to the Lord’s service while attending a youth rally, she then taught Sunday School for more than 51 years and also became a missionary. After graduating from Colfax High School in 1953 she saved up money for Bible training by working at a washing machine company in Newton lA.
It was in the fall of 1954, when she started to attend the Omaha Baptist Bible Institute, that she met Allen Adler, a farm kid from Minnesota. She graduated from the Bible Institute in June of 1957. She immediately went to work at Baptist Mid-Missions in Cleveland, Ohio.
On January 20, 1958 Marilyn and Allen Adler were married in the First Baptist Church of Stewartville, Minnesota. Pastor Johnny Kain officiated the wedding.
In May of 1958 they were accepted with Baptist Mid-Missions and spent the next 45 years in ministry among the Native Americans in Arizona, NM, and Montana with a brief time in a white work in Prescott, AZ.
After “retiring” to Townsend, she continued serving the Lord: five trips to Jones Ranch, New Mexico, one to Winslow, Arizona, four to Kenora, Ontario Canada, and one to Aldergrove, British Columbia Canada.
She enjoyed the fellowship and friends she made on all of her trips, but enjoyed being at home the most, where she could host friends and family get togethers, cook in her kitchen or help others. During her illness she still desired to host events at home.
Visitors were able to observe her cheerfulness and contentment; Marilyn never complained. She entertained family and friends with stories of her childhood, her experiences, and her wit. Her loving thoughtfulness, her devotion to her Lord and family, the delicious meals she prepared, her memory where to find things, her sacrifices, and her smiles will be missed by those who knew her.
The Lord gave Marilyn and Allen six wonderful children: Karis, Steven, Mark, Nathan, Carolyn and Daniel. She thoroughly enjoyed each of her children, looking forward to spending delightful times with them, such as birthdays, Christmases, anniversaries and canoeing with her husband.
Marilyn was a precious wife, a superb mother, and a very practical person. She could easily assemble a meal in short order from basic foods and make it taste so delicious. Her words of wisdom were as valuable as gold. She was willing to adjust her schedule to meet the demands of others. She would sooner money be spent on others than on herself. Marilyn also had a good sense of humor.
She is survived by her brother, Benjamin of Idaho Falls, ID, her husband, Allen of Townsend, MT, their children: Karis (Dan) Mapes of Ghana, West Africa; Steven (Kerri) Adler of Ephrata, WA; Mark (Emma) Adler of Vaughn, MT; Nathan (Mercy) Adler of Miami, FL; Carolyn Adler of Astoria, OR; Daniel Adler of Great Falls, MT; grandchildren: David, Charity, Grace, Hannah, Christopher, William, Rebecca, and Nicolas; great-grandchildren: Anastasia, Eliana, Evangeline, Jonathan, Vanity Ann, Clementine, Asher, Isaiah and Judah.
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