Marilyn Hamilton Obituary Marilyn Joyce Beal was born to Clarence and Clara (Foust) Beal on July 2, 1930 in their farmhouse in Independence. She passed away on December 2, 2023 after a bad fall at the age of 93 while still living at her home in Independence. Marilyn was 6 when she started first grade at Evergreen Grove one-room school. In 7th grade she went to Mound School where she graduated in 1948. Marilyn loved showing her Brown Swiss cattle at the county and Minnesota State Fair. In 1947 her dad hired Robert Hamilton of Independence to haul her cattle, they were married on April 8, 1949. They loved the farm life and Marilyn spent many hours doing the farm bookkeeping until recently. She loved being outside and gardening. She still did a little gardening last summer. She had the gift of hospitality and fed many, many people at her table. She cooked three solid meals every day and always had extra in case there were additional people at the table. Marilyn was always very involved in her local church. She accepted the Lord as her personal Savior as a young teenager. She started attending Armstrong Community Church in 1948 which later moved to become Maple Plain Community Church in 1951 where she was a long-time member. She enjoyed being on the Missions Committee and was church auditor for many years. She still loved attending each and every Sunday. She worked as an Accountant for Winona Research for 31 years and retired in 1996. Bob and Marilyn loved to travel together and enjoyed various RVs over the years. They were long-time members of the Allegro group who they "camped smoothly" with until she sold her RV when she was 90. She has been to all 50 states and several foreign countries including Israel at the age of 85. They also enjoyed a number of cruises. She has been actively involved in the Paul Stinson American Legion Auxiliary for many years. They received an Honorary Life Membership in Farm Bureau for their many years of service and she was an election judge for the City of Independence for 32 years. Marilyn was a caregiver for many people. She cared for an aunt, and both of her parents for many years. She was a loving caregiver to Bob until his passing in 2011. She was preceded in death by her husband Robert Hamilton, her parents, a brother and a great granddaughter. She is survived by her children Bobbi (Ray) McCoy, Don Hamilton, Ruth (Larry) Richter; 9 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews and a host of friends. The funeral will be Friday, December 8 at 11:00 a.m. with visitation at 10:00 a.m. at the Maple Plain Community Church at 1815 Budd Ave N, Maple Plain, MN. Services Visitation Friday December 8, 2023 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM Maple Plain Community Church 1815 Budd Avenue North Maple Plain, MN 55359 Funeral Service Friday December 8, 2023 11:00 AM Maple Plain Community Church 1815 Budd Avenue North Maple Plain, MN 55359