Marilyn Jean Small was born February 3, 1939 to Charles and Florence (Gilbert) Small in Biddeford, ME. She attended and graduated from Aquinas High School in Bronx, NY. She was united in marriage to Robert Spitzer on December 23, 1958. After 25 years of marriage, the couple divorced. Marilyn loved her needlework and crocheting. She often made prayer shawls for Salem Lutheran Church. Her love of Mickey Mouse was well known by everyone. Marilyn went to her heavenly home Sunday, April 23, 2017 at Avera Bormann Manor in Parkston at the age of 78. Grateful for having shared her life are her 4 children: Marie (Doug) Sandau of Tripp, SD; Heidi Schubert of Gulfport, MS; Christine (Bruce) Perkins of Parkston; and Robert J (Denise) Spitzer of Copperus Cove, TX; 10 grandchildren: Kristi Hender, Thomas Schubert, Gianna Lantero, Callie Perkins, Brittany Walsh, Romella Spitzer, Noah Spitzer, Veronica Spitzer, Samantha Spitzer and Joshua Spitzer; 5 great-grandchildren; a sister, Lois (Frank) Penny of Lubbock, TX; a brother, Wade (Diane) Small of Emery, TX; and 6 nieces and nephews: Dawn Cepica, Denise Small, Michael Small, Donna Gentile, Robert Gentile, and Michael Gentile. She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Carl Spitzer; a sister, Roberta Gentile and Robert G. Spitzer.