Marilyn L. Whipple, age 65 of Rodney, passed away Wednesday, December 28, 2011. She was born October 5, 1946 in Big Rapids, the daughter of Carl and Evelyn (Purcell) Jehnzen. Marilyn graduated from Mecosta High School and earned her degree in elementary education from Ferris State University. She married Frank Whipple on August 12, 1973 and together they made their home in Rodney. Marilyn babysat for the entire neighborhood, mothering every child in her care. She worked as a secretary for the Big Rapids High School adult education. Marilyn was a visiting home care giver for many years until establishing Whipple Adult Foster Care home over 15 years ago. Marilyn will always be remembered as a generous and loving woman who helped everyone. Her home and her heart were always open. She is survived by her loving husband, Frank Whipple; three children, Cheryl (Rodney) Jaworski of Climax, Gina (Harold Ostrum) Whipple of Rodney, Jerry (Samantha) Whipple of Rodney; 3 step-children, Frank Whipple of Gulfport, FL, Melissa (David Lloyd) Edwards of Holly, Joseph (April) Whipple of Midland; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; a brother Tim(Agnes) Jehnzen of Rodney; a sister, Nancy (Ted) Thelen of Lansing, three aunts, Dorothy Taylor of Holt, Wilma Whaley of Chippewa Lake, Ada Morden of Rodney; dear friends, Don and Ginger Tinney of Morley and many step-grandchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews and special grandchildren of Marilyn's heart. Besides her parents Marilyn was preceded in death by an infant brother, Jerry Jehnzen and a sister, Peggy Jehnzen. Funeral services will take place 2:00 p.m. Saturday, December 31, 2011 at the Daggett-Gilbert Funeral Home in Big Rapids with Pastor Bill Martin officiating. The family will greet friends at the funeral home on Friday (today, Dec. 30th ) from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and one hour prior to services on Saturday. Burial will be at Martiny Township Cemetery. Memorial contributions in Marilyn's name may be made to the Mecosta County Medical Center Foundation, directed to Home Health Care.