Marilyn Joan Gunning

Marilyn Joan Gunning, a woman of remarkable independence, sharp wit, and deep devotion to her family, passed away peacefully on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026, at the age of 96.

Born January 7, 1930, in Albion, Nebraska, Marilyn was the daughter of Frank and Katherine Nelson Scharfen. She joined two older brothers, Vincent and Francis. Two years later her sister, Betty Kay, joined the family.

In 1935, after the family farm was lost, Marilyn’s parents, their four children, and two cats piled into the family Chevy to seek a new beginning in Idaho. They lived with her Uncle Clarence and Aunt Ella Nelson of Nampa until they established a farm in Melba. The family also lived in Meridian, Nampa, Kuna and finally Deer Flat in Nampa.

Marilyn graduated from Nampa High School in 1948. She loved playing clarinet in the band. After high school, she worked as secretary for Lindsay & Sons Ford Company in Nampa.

While attending a community dance in January 1950, Marilyn met her future husband, Richard Gunning of the Bowmont area. They were married September 5, 1950, at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Nampa.

After marriage the couple became partners on a small, irrigated seed/dairy farm a couple miles south of Bowmont. The newlyweds lived with Lloyd and Ola Gunning (Rich’s Mums & Pappy) while they built a new home on their farm. The farm and family grew.

Kathy was born on April 5, 1952. Son Chris was born November 23, 1959.

Marilyn’s activities and interests reflected her strongly held values of family, church and community. She was a homemaker/farmer extraordinaire. She enjoyed ceramics, reading, sewing, cooking, gardening, bookkeeping, and creating a home with Rich on the farm. She could drive beet truck, tractor or milk the cows if necessary. She was noted for her apple pies with golden delicious apples produced from her own garden. She taught others through her leadership in 4-H for 15 years. She was active in the Countyline Extension Club and Catholic Daughters from 1950-2026. She was a 35-year volunteer for Mercy Hospital and St. Alphonsus Medical Center in Nampa. She took an active role as a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Melba.

After selling the cows in 1988 Marilyn and Rich started traveling. They camped many summer months in Cascade. During winter they enjoyed snowmobiling with friends. In later years, they traveled the world on tours and cruises. She and Rich attended many Wortman family reunions in Nebraska. They especially enjoyed RVing with the Caldwell Ramblers. In her late 80’s Mom drove her motorhome to Lewiston to visit Kathy. Later, when Mom was in her 90’s, she drove her motorhome with the Ramblers to Utah. She sold the RV shortly after that trip.

After Rich passed in 2015, Mom sold the farm and moved to a 55+ community in Nampa.

She enjoyed family gatherings and loved having her children, grandchildren and great-granddaughters around. She was very proud of her family. Through the years she watched them participate in 4-H, music, sports and other activities. She also loved her activities with friends, including cheering on the Boise State Broncos at the Nampa Elks and attending and hosting pinochle parties in her neighborhood.

Mom loved her independence! She continued to live her independent lifestyle with the help of her friend, Tom Taylor. Even at 96, she took great pride in her autonomy. After a minor traffic encounter recently with what she jokingly called a 'blind cop', she set out to prove her capability. She passed her driving test with flying colors only weeks ago, a testament to her sharp mind and determination. Mom will be missed, yet there is joy in knowing she was independent, cognizant and at peace with this being her time. Mom lived life on her own terms!

Kathy, Bob, and Chris are so grateful for the beautiful day we shared with her the day before she passed. In many ways, she was her usual self—sipping a strawberry milkshake, making sure Kathy had plenty of tasks to keep her busy and asking Chris all about his family trip to Ireland. She told us she was ready for the Lord to call her home. She was an incredible woman who stayed sharp and full of love until the very end. Her kitty was at the top of her mind. We assured her that her kitty would have a good home after she passed!

Marilyn was preceded in death by her husband Rich, her parents and her siblings. She is survived by daughter, Kathy (Bob) Branson in Lewiston and son, Chris (Theresa) Gunning of Boise, her cherished grandchildren; Greg, Julie, Kari, Marissa, Victoria and Kayla, her great-granddaughters; Brianna, Emily, Kylie, Kiersten and Lillie and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, Marilyn suggests donations to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Melba, Melba Senior Center, or the Monastery of St. Gertrudes in Cottonwood, Idaho.