Marilyn Landewee

Marilyn Katherine (née Scheffer) Landewee, born July 8, 1944, in Charleston, Missouri, peacefully left this world surrounded by family on November 11, 2026. Marilyn was the second oldest of eight children born to Benjamin John and MaryAnn (née Scherer) Scheffer. Being the second oldest undoubtedly prepared her for a lifetime of solving problems nobody asked her to solve, and making sure everyone knew exactly how things should be done.

At the age of 21, Marilyn married Alvin Landewee. Together they had four children: Cara Bowman (Dane), Rodney Landewee (Tonya), Deann Pappageorge (Tim Fowler), and Renee Hinkebein (Eric). She loved her children fiercely and supported them relentlessly.

Marilyn’s family grew to include eight grandchildren: Kyle Bowman (Emily), Katie Bowman, Mason Landewee, Trevor Pappageorge, Lauren Pappageorge, Cameron Hinkebein, Preston Hinkebein, and Christian Hinkebein, followed by three great-grandchildren who absolutely had her wrapped around their little fingers: Maggie Bowman, Fletcher Bowman, and Eloise Bowman. Her family also included her siblings Ben Scheffer, Richard Scheffer, Charles Scheffer, Mary Cotner, and Clare Urhahn. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sisters, Francis Dirnberger and Teresa Welter.

She was a member of Immaculate Conception Church and was blessed with a lifetime full of family and friendships.

She was a woman of many talents. A gifted seamstress, she turned her talent into a career making clothing and draperies. She was also a terrific cook. Her flaky pie crust was legendary, and her dumplings were the kind people remembered long after the meal was over.

Sitting still was never really her thing. She pitched many games of horseshoes and took up bowling in her twenties. She continued bowling until May of 2026, proving that age was merely a number and that nobody had successfully convinced her to quit.

Marilyn was also an adventurer. She traveled throughout the United States and around the world, including trips to Australia, Egypt, and Mediterranean cruises that took her through Italy, Greece, Spain, and France. If you traveled with Marilyn, you learned an important rule: stay on your toes. Marilyn was a prankster. A trip with her could include sightseeing, good food, beautiful scenery, and the very real possibility that at some point you would turn around and realize she had short-sheeted your bed. She loved playing cards with her buddies, especially Texas Hold’em, Pinochle, and Pitch.

Marilyn was a strong-willed woman. She knew what she thought, she knew what she believed, and she was perfectly comfortable letting everyone else know about it. She was strong-willed when she was right. She was strong-willed when she was wrong. But beneath that stubborn streak was a woman with an enormous heart. She was the person who showed up. She helped cook and decorate for countless friends’ and family members’ weddings, volunteered as a 4-H leader, and was active in her church, finding ways to make herself useful. She could always be counted on the help whenever needed.

Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were her pride and joy. She loved watching them play sports of every imaginable variety. And while some of her observations directed toward referees, umpires, coaches, opposing teams, and occasionally the general athletic community may have been spirited, there was never any doubt about where her heart was. She was also a faithful Cardinals fan, endlessly searching for their games on TV.

Marilyn leaves behind her family, countless friends, and enormous collection of memories. She leaves behind the sound of her laughter, the taste of her cooking, the things she made with her hands, the lessons she taught, the games she played, the trips she took and the pranks she pulled.

This is how we will remember her. We will remember her as Mom, MiMi, Grandma Way, MaMa Way, GiGi, sister, and friend. A woman who showed up. A woman who cared deeply. A woman who loved fiercely. And a woman who made sure life was never boring.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Monday, November 23 with Rosary at 7p.m., at McComb’s Funeral Home in Jackson, MO. Please come ready to share your favorite Marilyn story. Mass will be at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 24 at Immaculate Conception Church in Jackson, MO, with burial to follow in Russel Heights Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Options for Women or Immaculate Conception School.