Born Marilyn Kay Vileta on January 22, 1937, the daughter of Arnold and Marie (Caloud) Vileta at home in Tama. She graduated from Tama High School in the Class of 1955.

In October of 1955, Marilyn was united in marriage with Richard Fricke. They were blessed with four sons: Michael, Morris, Mitchell and Matthew. The couple later divorced.

In the fall of 1969, Marilyn met Dale Hicks in Marshalltown. They were united in marriage in 1970. They were blessed with a son, David.

Marilyn held various secretarial and bookkeeping positions at local Tama – Toledo and Marshalltown businesses. Marilyn worked at Don Danskin Pontiac – Cadillac in Marshalltown and Fisher Employees Credit Union. In her 40’s, Marilyn enlisted in the U.S. Navy Reserve for four years. She worked at Central Iowa Credit Union, now known as Members 1st Credit Union, as a loan manager until her retirement in January 1999.

Marilyn and Dale enjoyed traveling. They visited five European countries, Canada, cruised the Panama Canal: Mexico, Columbia, Aruba, the Bahamas, Virgin Islands and Panama, along with other cruises. They also traveled the entire U.S., including Hawaii and spent 30 days in Alaska. Marilyn and Dale loved their time with family and friends at their lake house at Lake Ponderosa, near Montezuma.

Marilyn was passionate about loving her family, her country and her community. She was a member of the Red Hat Society and dedicated to staying in touch with the Class of 1955 and coordinating reunions. Marilyn was patriotic – supporting her loved ones that served and serving in the reserves herself. She had a creative side also; she had an art of writing especially fond of poetry. Marilyn loved to cook, bake, and enjoy all the sweets – gum drops, starlight mints and various chocolates being a few of her favorites.

Marilyn will be missed by her children: Michael (Laura) Fricke of Marshalltown, Morris (Cindy) Fricke of Gilman, Mitchell (Deedee) Fricke of Lake Worth, FL, and David (Alyson) Hicks of Marshalltown; 12 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and several great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Dale; her son, Matthew Fricke; and her brother, Merrill (Terry) Vileta.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, December 3, 2025 at Mitchell Family Funeral Home. Visitation will be held one hour prior. Marilyn will be laid to rest at Riverside Cemetery. Memorial donations may be directed to YSS of Marshall County.

Mitchell Family Funeral Home has been entrusted to care for Marilyn and her family. To leave online condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com. Ph. 641-844-1234.