Marilyn Jean Baustian

Marilyn Jean Baustian

Deep River

Marilyn Jean Baustian, 92, of Deep River, IA passed away on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at St. Francis Manor in Grinnell, IA.

A funeral service is scheduled for 11:00 AM, Monday, November 10, 2025, at Smith Funeral Home, Victor, IA. Family will greet friends for a visitation prior to the service beginning at 10:00 AM. Burial will be held at Guernsey Cemetery with a reception to follow at the Guernsey Church.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be designated to the Deep River Fire Department. Memorials may be mailed in care of Smith Funeral Home, PO Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112.

Marilyn was born on April 22, 1933, in rural Guernsey, the daughter of Arnold and Marie (Mullen) Gwin. She was raised on the family farm south of Guernsey and attended school in Guernsey graduating a year early with the Guernsey High School Class of 1950.

On February 6, 1955, she was united in marriage with Lorraine “Magee” Baustian, at the Guernsey United Methodist Church. A union of nearly 65 years, prior to his death in 2019. The couple farmed together near Deep River for many years while raising five children.

She was an excellent cook and baker specializing in cookies, angel food cake, apple pie, chicken and noodles and honestly everything she made, was an excellent seamstress and enjoyed gardening. She and Magee enjoyed ballroom dancing and made many friends along the way. But, most importantly, was her love for her family which knew no bounds.

She was also a lifetime member of the Guernsey United Methodist Church and United Methodist Women spending many hours volunteering in the church kitchen.

She is survived by three sons, Bruce (Marlene) Baustian of Brooklyn, Brian (Lori) Baustian of Brooklyn, and Brent (Hillary) Baustian of Swisher; six grandsons, Jeremiah, Lewis, Colton, Tanner, Matt and Derrick; ten granddaughters, Meredith, Jessica, Caitlynne, Delaney, Morgan, Madison, Zoey, Natalie, Mackenzie and Kylee; eleven great-grandchildren, Tatum, Asher, Everett and Elliott, Emersyn and Libby, River and Hazel, Audrey, Leann, and Cade; two sisters Jan Bushong and Nita (Chris) Stanford.

In death she is reunited with her husband Magee (2019) and two daughters, Melissa Hendricks (2007) and Melinda Showalter (2008); her parents; four brothers and their wives, one sister and her husband and one brother-in-law.