Marilyn Heysinger

Marilyn Jane Heysinger, 81, Kansas City, MO, died April 29, 2008 at Overland Park Regional Medical Center. Memorial services will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, May 2, 2008 at D.W. Newcomer's Sons Overland Park Chapel visitation will be 6:00-8:00 p.m. Thursday at the chapel. Private graveside services will be at Leavenworth National Cemetery, Leavenworth, KS cremation. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Going for Excellence Scholarship Fund sponsored by the Women's Club of the University of Missouri-Kansas City, 300 Administrative Center, 5100 Rockhill Road, Kansas City, MO 64110-2499 Marilyn was born in a country store owned by her parents, L. Clarence and Viola M. (Ladehoff) Nelson at Low Moor Corners near Clinton, Iowa. She married Jack D. Heysinger on June 11, 1949. She led a very active life combining numerous volunteer services while working for many years as Camp Director for Camp Weidemann of the Wichita Area Girl Scout Council. She particularly enjoyed serving as Advisor to the Mortar Board Chapter at Wichita State University and in volunteer work in the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Center at Menorah Hospital. Her major organizational associations included the Women's Club of the University of Missouri-Kansas City, in which she twice held the office of president as well as other offices and committee assignments. She was actively interested in fostering the Faculty and Staff Student Aid Fund and the Going for Excellence Scholarship Program at UMKC. Marilyn had a life-long association with the Girl Scouts of America having filled positions from Troop Leader to Council officerships and directorships. She organized, collected, and administered the Kansas City Area inventory of Girl Scout Uniforms of all ages. Over the years she directed the Cookie Sales programs in the Wichita Area Girl Scout Council, and the Mid-Continent Area Girl Scout Council. In recognition of these and other services, she received a number of adult awards including the Thanks Badge and the Thanks Badge II. Marilyn's major personal hobby was domestic in nature. She was an accomplished seamstress making clothes for her two daughters, herself and others. She was an expert knitter and knit countless products for family use and for charitable purposes. Survivors include her husband Jack; her daughters Sheryl and husband Andrew Caracciolo; Sandra Heysinger and husband Richard Williams; grandsons Andrew Caracciolo and wife Chrisie; Michael Caracciolo and wife Alanna; Conrad and Colin Heysinger-Williams; great-grandsons Christopher and Andrew Caracciolo, and two sisters, Dottie Leimert and husband Jack and Betty Jaber.

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