Marilyn Jean Whiteside

     Marilyn Jean (Forby) Whiteside, age 91, of Lakeville, Minnesota, passed away early the morning of January 25, 2025 from the side effects of dementia and old age. Family and the amazing staff at Highview Hills were by her side. Marilyn was born in Faulkton, South Dakota on June 12, 1933 to parents Harold and Lois (Ross) Forby. As a toddler her family moved to the Chicago area.

    After graduating from HS in Libertyville, IL in 1951. She went on to attend Illinois Wesleyan, transferring to the University of Missouri - Columbia where she earned her A.B. degree in 1955. She enrolled in the University of Missouri masters program in 1956 and went on to earn her Masters of Social Work in 1964, and her teaching certificate from Central Missouri State College in 1967. She continued helping advance medical research and education for the rest of her life when she joined the Women’s Health Initiative in 1991 (slated to end in 2026) which made many important health discoveries for women.

    In 1955 Marilyn married Wesley Earl Whiteside. She met her future husband at the University of Missouri Wesley Foundation, and their relationship bloomed on the island of Puerto Rico. Wes was serving 2 years building a hospital as alternative service for being a conscientious objector, and Marilyn signed up for a summer work camp to be with him. They raised two daughters, who, she always said, were her most proud accomplishment. Marilyn enjoyed being a wife and mom. She completed her graduate degrees with two small children at home. When the kids were in school, she started one of the first Head Start programs in the country in Warrensburg, Missouri. After the family moved to Iowa in 1972, she learned American Sign Language and worked in a school for the deaf. In the mid 80’s she began an Easter Seals “Lekotek” (toy lending library) for children with disabilities.

    Her grand children benefited greatly from her need to constantly toy shop. She completed her career as a Hospice Social Worker and worked with the Visiting Nurses in the Quad Cities until she retired. While with hospice, in 1995, she helped form a “Gilda’s Club” in the Quad Cities to support family members of cancer patients.

    She met Gene Wilder (Gilda Radner’s husband and one of the founders) on a trip to NYC for training. She also began a grief group, that continues today, for women who had lost husbands. Original members stayed in touch through her move to MN and her illness. The couple moved from their home of 40 years in Bettendorf, Iowa to Lakeville, Minnesota in 2014 to be closer to family.

    She was proud of her career and loved helping people. The couple shared their home with many immigrant families from all over the world who had recently arrived in the Quad Cities, and helped them find housing, jobs, cars and schools. Marilyn also enjoyed trying new recipes, baking and decorating cakes, flower gardening, sewing and crocheting, and traveling. The couple traveled all though their marriage including to most of the 50 states, PR, Mexico, Europe, Central America. They enjoyed learning about other cultures, had a heart for service and did “work camps” when possible. Late in life, they took “Road Scholar” tours—one a cruise through the Panama Canal with Bishop Desmond Tutu on board teaching classes on reconciliation.

    Marilyn is survived by her husband of 69 years, Wes, and their daughters Shirley Whiteside (Byron Plumley), Paula Whiteside Holmes (Ted Holmes), four grand children; Anne Dubler (John), Katie Swartz (Paul), Emily Samsel (William), Nick Holmes (Katie), seven great-grandchildren, her brother, Glen Forby (Jennifer) and many nieces and nephews.

    Marilyn will continue her life of education and research at the University of Minnesota and the Mayo Clinic Brain Bank, with the generous donation of her body for research. This “Missouri Tiger” is now a “Golden Gopher”.

    A graveside service will be held for Wesley and Marilyn Whiteside at Edgewood Cemetery in Chillicothe, MO on April 25th 2026 at 10:30am. A luncheon will take place at Liberty Church after.