Marilyn Margaret McKim

IDAHO FALLS – Marilyn Margaret McKim, 89, of Idaho Falls, and formerly of Heyburn, passed away Wednesday, April 19, 2017, at her home in Idaho Falls.

She was born in Laramie, Wyo., on November 27, 1927, to Eva Floy and Sherman Shaw Wheeler. She was the oldest of four siblings.

She graduated from Laramie High School, and then went on to graduate from Colorado A & M (now CSU), in Fort Collins, Colo., earning a Bachelor of Science degree. She was a member of Kappa Delta sorority. Marilyn taught school in Medicine Bow, Wyo. She earned a Master of Science degree from University of Wyoming at Laramie, Wyo.

On June 3, 1950, she married Edward Culver McKim and lived on a ranch near Cedaredge, Colo., where their four children were born. The family moved to Heyburn, Idaho in 1957, where they lived for the next 58 years before moving to Idaho Falls two years ago, to be closer to her daughter.

Mrs. McKim taught at Miller School in Cassia county for several years. After earning her teaching certificate from ISU and another certificate from University of Idaho, she taught elementary school in the Minidoka District for 17 years. She was known as the queen of the red pencil by her students.

Mrs. McKim enjoyed community activities, serving as leader in Camp Fire Girls, serving as President of AAUW in 1988, and several offices in Garden Club, and an avid supporter of St. Jude’s Children Hospital.

She was a lifetime member of First Presbyterian Church, serving as Elder and Deacon, teaching Sunday School, and a lifetime honorary member of Presbyterian Women, serving in several offices locally in Burley and in Kendall Presbytery as Enabler and Commissioner.

She loved her flower gardens and enjoyed preserving fruits and vegetables from the garden harvest. She enjoyed sewing, embroidery, and crochet. She especially loved to read. Raising her family with love and teaching were her crowning achievements, passing on the tradition of the value of education as her legacy. She lived a long, good life with the love of her life.

She is survived by her husband of 66 years; her brother, Gerald G. Wheeler (Dorothy) of Tucson, Ariz.; her daughters, Marilyn Culp (Bruce) of Idaho Falls, and Julie Torman (Howard) of Croton, N.Y.; son, James (Linda) McKim of Escondido, Calif., nine grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Robert R. Wheeler and William W. Wheeler; and daughter, Claire Christine McKim.

Friends may visit at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, Friday, April 28, from 9:30 until 10:30 a.m. Immediately following will be a graveside service at 11 a.m. at the Paul Cemetery, 550 W. 100 N., of Paul.