Marilou Kirkland

Marilou’s was a life of summer. Her journey began in the summer of 1928, one year before the start of The Great Depression. Never one to complain, she enjoyed eating the rationed meals with her family, and quickly developed an aptitude for Marbles.



Marilou grasped at an early age the importance of faith. A lifelong devout Catholic, she entered a convent at age 15. Afterwards, she attended The College of St. Mary, and Duchesne College, culminating in an M.A. in Art History at Creighton University. After careful consideration, she decided to spend the money she’d saved for her PhD on a summer cruise to Europe with her friends. These friendships, and others, would last nearly a century.



After marrying John Kirkland in 1958, Marilou’s life became a never-ending series of adventures the totality of which is innumerable. These summers were spent on the road. On these trips their six young children came to know the world outside Nebraska, reassured that home was always just a long drive and/or international flight away.



John passed unexpectedly in 1990, but Marilou’s job wasn’t done. In John’s wake were 19 grandchildren for whom she needed to set an example. Often spending summers in Omaha and “winters” in Arizona, she served as a bridge between two halves of her growing family, and made sure everyone knew how to shuffle a deck of cards.



This year, 93 years after her journey began, Marilou enjoyed her final summer. When asked if she had any regrets, she responded, “You know, I’ve never thought about it!”



Preceded in death by loving husband, John C. Kirkland; son, George; granddaughter Jon Marie; brother Eugene R. Witt; and

parents Henry N. Witt and Mariea Goodhard Witt.



She is survived by children: Marijohn Kirkland, Johnna Kirkland, John C. (Ann) Kirkland, Victor (Renae) Kirkland, Charles (Carolina) Kirkland, and Mary Louise (Scott) Ruff. Grandchildren: Jonathan Schack, Marie, Miles, Clare, McKenna, Mason and Max Manning, Hunter and Sienna Kirkland, Alex, Nathan, Emily, Ben, and Sam Kirkland, George and Sophia Kirkland, Carter, Henry, and Margot Ruff, and 6 great-grandchildren. As well as many dear nieces, nephews, and cousins.



Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to College of Saint Mary.