Marilyn Helene Leese (nee Schlutt) passed into the presence of her Lord and Savior, with her son and daughter at her side, on Friday evening August 28, 2026. She was 95 years old.
Born May 9, 1931 to Lillian and Millard Schlutt in St. Joseph, Michigan, Marilyn grew up along the shores of idyllic Lake Michigan, which featured prominently in stories of her childhood and young adulthood. A graduate of St. Joseph High School, Marilyn went on to local junior college, then Central Michigan University, obtaining a degree in elementary education. At CMU, she became a proud sister of Sigma, Sigma, Sigma sorority, a membership which continued her entire life in the Grand Rapids area alumni group.
While teaching in Kalamazoo after college graduation, she met young John Leese, an Army veteran returning from service in Korea, working to finish his degree at Western Michigan University. Marilyn and John went on to marry August 11,1956 and spent nearly 68 years together before John passed in April 2024. Marilyn and John settled in his hometown of Grand Rapids Michigan, starting their life together in an apartment in Belknap Park their first year of marriage. She immediately found a teaching position in 3rd grade at Wyoming Park Public Schools. The following year, they bought their first home in northeast Grand Rapids. It’s there, they started their family.
Marilyn became a homemaker after the birth of her children, first John, then Kristin. They moved their children to Forest Hills in 1969, building their dream home. She excelled in managing a household, and was known for her expertise in both cooking and baking. Friends far and wide eagerly anticipated her Christmas cookie assortments, often making more than a dozen different types. She was an expert seamstress, and sewed many outfits and dresses for both herself, and Kristin. A professional volunteer, she helped in the schools, taught Sunday school for many years, among other positions at church, and served on the Junior Diet Kitchen Guild at Butterworth Hospital for more than 50 years.
Years later, when her children were grown and off to college, Marilyn went back to work, in retail this time. She spent over a decade working for a local women’s store specializing in petite clothing. In retirement, she and John enjoyed membership in the Cadillac LaSalle Club, and the Old Speckled Hen MG Club. They were long time members of Cascade Hills Country Club, and Trinity Lutheran Church.
Marilyn is survived by her children John M. Leese (daughter in law Mary) and Kristin Linkfield (son in law Kent.) She is grandmother to five wonderful grandchildren and their spouses, all whom she loved dearly. Jonathon (Leslie) Leese, Austin (Allison) Linkfield, Aubrey (Michael) Vazquez, Conor (MacKenzie) Linkfield, and Jordan Leese. She is great grandmother to four beautiful, young children. Dakota Linkfield, Hudson Linkfield, Aria Vazquez, and Vivienne Linkfield.
She was preceded in death by her husband John E. Leese, and her brother Millard (Mim) Schlutt, as well as several sister and brother in laws, and two nephews. She is fondly remembered for her kindness by her surviving nieces and nephews and sister in law.
The family wishes to thank Emmanuel Hospice, The Giving Care Group’s owner Kim Hulst, and her dream team of care givers who helped Marilyn and John these past four years: Peggy, Latonia, Maria, Melanie, Judy, Rachel, and Kristina. These women are angels in disguise. Marilyn enjoyed each and every one of them.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Emmanuel Hospice or VanAndel Institute for Parkinsons Research in honor of her husband John.
Services for Marilyn will be Tuesday, September 22 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. For those wishing to pay their respects, the family will receive visitors beginning at 10:00 A.M. Service following at 11:30. Pastor Kari Fast officiating.
One Response
Many years ago Trinity Church had a number of women’s guilds, and we both belonged to the only evening group called Sarah Guild. I still remember the first time I went to her condo when it was Marilyn’s time to host our Bible study: absolute awe when I walked along the deck and to the entrance door. She let me in and I felt like I couldn’t touch anything and took off my shoes. Everything was white from the couch and chairs and carpeting. That awkward feeling was quickly swept away as she was so welcoming. Each time she would have a wonderful baked good – and frequently dainty cookies. Once we ate in her porch area and she showed us her fragile collection of Ukrainian or hand painted eggs. I remember she always drove a Cadillac as her son owned a dealership, and she always was dressed beautifully with especially nice sweaters, as she worked at the petite clothing store. I truly miss those Sarah Guild days as many members are going to live with our savior.