Marilynn Jean Herek
November 4, 1941 – May 18, 2024
VISITATION: Tuesday, May 28th from 5pm to 7pm at the West Center Chapel. FUNERAL SERVICE: Wednesday, May 29th at 10:30am, West Center Chapel. Interment, Calvary Cemetery.
Memorials are kindly suggested to Luke Tatsu Johnson Foundation.
To view a live broadcast of the Funeral Service, please visit www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “Live Cast” button at the top of the home page.
Marilynn Jean Herek was born on November 4, 1941, to her parents Charles Gaughen and Mary Ann Arlt Gaughen. She passed away on May 18, 2024, after a long life and a brief battle with kidney cancer.
Marilynn was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Mary Ann, and her husband James Herek. She is survived by her brother, Bob Gaughen, sister, Carol Johnson, and son John Herek, grandchildren: Alyssa Herek, Jessica Herek, Timothy Coquat-Herek, Melody and Thomas Whitcomb, Harmony Herek, and Coda Herek and great-grandchildren Charlotte Peterson, Zane Williams, and Olive Herek.
Marilynn went to Mercy High School and graduated from Creighton University. After spending some time as an English teacher, she became a Human Resources Manager for over 30 years at Kutak Rock Law Firm. While there, she was known as a beloved boss and met some of her greatest friends. She not only raised her son, but helped raise her grandchildren, and lived long enough to pass her love and faith onto her great-grandchildren.
After about 10 years away from the Catholic Church, Marilynn found Love Church through her granddaughter, Alyssa, on Good Friday, April 2, 2021. Seeing Marilynn turn to God sparked a growth of faith in her family. Soon, her son, John, joined the church on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2021 and the rest of her grandchildren followed.
While attending Love Church, Marilynn joined a small group and her faith increased. She attended service every Sunday until the day she died, and she credited the ladies from her small group for saving her.
Marilynn was diagnosed with kidney cancer on March 22, 2024, and witnessed her family and friends pulling together during the roughest of times. She was baptized at Love Church one week later, on Good Friday March 29, 2024.
Even through the end, Marilynn felt no pain. Peace and love flowed through her as she graduated to heaven to be with her savior, Jesus Christ.
4 Comments
John, my heart goes out to you and your children. Marilynn was a good neighbor, friend and co-worker for most of my life, and I know she was a wonderful mother and grandmother. She will be dearly missed.
Alyssa and family, so sorry for your loss but I know she had to be so proud of her family. We are so fortunate to be following their footsteps!!
Sending my heartfelt condolences to the family and friends. When I was hired at Kutak Rock in 1978, Marilynn was a huge part of my growth as a Kutakian. To this day, while still working with the firm, so many memories pop into my head having her as my mentor. From what I can remember, Marilynn helped start up a legal secretarial class at the Rock, helped start up a bowling league, softball league, volleyball league, bus trip(s) to a Husker football game to name a few. I will truly miss Marilynn J. Herek.
I am Marilynn’s little brother. She always treated me as special. May she rest in peace!!
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