of Mountain Home, AR

August 30, 1930 - August 17, 2025

Marilyn Parbs, 94, of Mountain Home, Arkansas, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 17, 2025. She was born on August 30, 1930, in Chicago, Illinois, to George and Sylvia (Rebout) Jahnke.
Marilyn grew up in the Chicago area and graduated from Riverside-Brookfield High School before earning her journalism degree from the University of Illinois. On October 15, 1950, she married Robert Parbs, and together they built a large and lively family filled with love, laughter, and traditions.

An accomplished journalist, Marilyn worked for many years at the local newspaper in Addison, Illinois, while raising six sons and one daughter. She poured her energy into her family, whether serving on the PTA, sewing clothes for her children, or baking treats that became family favorites. She had a gift for making holidays and milestones memorable: Christmas was magical, New Year's Eve festive, and each birthday was celebrated in a way that made her children feel special.

Marilyn had a joyful spirit and a sharp wit. She loved music and could often be found singing along to her favorite songs, harkening back to her college days when she was a singer in a band. She had a playful side that delighted her children, especially with her April Fools' Day pranks.
In 1991, she retired to Mountain Home, Arkansas, where she became an active and devoted member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church. Her church family was a great blessing to her. In retirement, one of her favorite daily rituals was enjoying her morning coffee on her porch, where she could take in the beauty of the lake.

Marilyn embraced technology well into her 90s, keeping in touch with family on Facebook and taking delight in following the lives of her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and even great-great-grandchildren. Biennial family reunions, which sometimes gathered nearly 50 loved ones together, were among her greatest joys.

She is survived by her seven children: Robert Parbs (Carolyn †2022), Steven Parbs, James Parbs (Mary), Nancy Last (Steven), Richard Parbs, Michael Parbs (Sharon), and Thomas Parbs (Terri).

She also leaves behind a legacy of love carried on by her grandchildren: Danielle (Ralph), Jacqueline, Tracy (Chad), David, Nicholas (Heidi), Sherry (Jonah), Amy (Antonio), Julie, Natalie (Doug), Michelle, Anthony, Ryan, Sydney, and Jared; her great-grandchildren: Cole, Blaine, Remy, Leif, Hansel, Larz, Dalton, Isabelle, Michael, Jesse, Cameron, Jackson, Emerson, Sophia, Alaina, Asher, Ida, Olivet, Ira, Una, and Arlo; and her great-great-grandchildren: Marsha and Harvey.

She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Sylvia Jahnke, and her sister, Evelyn Mohler.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Mountain Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to Holy Cross Lutheran Church: 48 Carnation Dr., Mountain Home, AR 72653 or Gail's Second Chance Pets: 310 CR 119, Oakland, AR 72661.

Marilyn, who never met a stranger, will be remembered for her love of family, her strong faith, and the joy and warmth she brought to all who knew her.

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