Marilyn Evens Griesedieck, 94, passed away peacefully on March 18, 2023. She joined her husband, Billy, the “love of her life”, who died in a car accident when she was 35 years old.
She dedicated her life to her children as she took on the roles of mother, father, and best friend. She was always fun-loving and cheerful, had a great sense of humor, a generous spirit, and was very devoted to God, family, and friends.
She loved animals of all kinds — from llamas and emus to orphaned deer and raccoons. She bought Riverside Farm in 1973 which soon became her “little slice of paradise.” She loved trail riding, caring for her farm animals, doing chores on her tractor, and sharing the farm life with her offspring.
Marilyn was very athletic — she coached basketball, played tennis for years, and enjoyed watching all sports. She was known as the “animal lady” at the Gasconade Manor Retirement Center and she raised baby chicks, bunnies, and goats specifically to visit the residents at the home. She also hosted an annual farm field trip for the Owensville kindergarten class to their delight. She worked at the Newman Center for many years and was selected as the 1981 JACS Volunteer of the Year for her eight years of service helping 2,400 people get jobs.
Everyone who met her was amazed by her zest for life and she will be greatly missed. Since prayer was very important to her, perpetual prayers are the best tribute.
She is survived by children Debbie Tipton (Holt), Dottye Hendrickson, Diane Hennessey (Marty), David Griesedieck (Mary) and Donna Langan; 10 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren who call her “Mamau,” Kevin Tipton (Katie), Holt, Jack; Jim Tipton, Holly Harms, Braden, Hadley, Parker; Bill Hendrickson (Cary), Capen, Connor, Coleman, Addie; Bob Hendrickson (Jessica), Carter, Katie, Christian; Courtney Hopson (Mike), Haylie, Kennedy, Porter; Brittany Thomas (Cayse), Bailey, Chandler; Kyle Hennessey (Amy), McKenzie; M.E. Hall (Zach), and Chase Langan (Abby), William.
Memorial Mass will be held Friday, April 21, at 11 a.m. at the Church of the Annunziata, 9305 Clayton Rd., Ladue, Mo. Visitation prior to Mass from 10–11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, a donation to the American Heart Association or the Dementia Society of America would be appreciated.
Arrangements entrusted to Kriegshauser Mortuary-West Chapel in St. Louis.
