Marilyn Kay Leichty, 80, of Mount Pleasant, Iowa passed away on August 15, 2021. Marilyn was born in Mount Pleasant on June 30, 1941, the daughter of Raymond and Doris (Roth) Graber. She graduated from Iowa Mennonite School and continued on to receive a bachelor's degree in nursing at Goshen College. Her postgraduate education included master's degrees in nursing and sociology, as well as a PhD in sociology from the University of Iowa. Marilyn was united in marriage to Norman Hoyt Leichty on May 19, 1974. They were married for 47 years and had three children together. Her career as a nurse and professor of nursing and sociology included instruction at Hesston College, Director of Nursing at Goshen College and Iowa Wesleyan University, and Director of Sociology at Iowa Wesleyan University. She volunteered at The Crowded Closet and The Fellowship Cup and was a member of the board of the Parkview Home. She was an active member of the Mennonite Church and served several capacities throughout her life. Marilyn enjoyed spending time in her garden and turning the harvest into innovative meals and canned goods. She promoted critical thinking and inclusion of those on the fringes of society. Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, and is survived by her husband Norman and their three children: Ellen Leichty and Mitchell Havard of Lancaster, PA; Jonathan and Amanda Bleichty of Mount Pleasant, IA; and Mary Leichty and Andrew Gingerich of Canby, OR; and four grandchildren: Henry and Menno Bleichty and Eli and Olive Gingerich. Also surviving are brothers Gerald Graber and Gloria Graber of Freeman, SD and Russel and Barbara Graber of Hesston, KS. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Iowa PBS in celebration of her dedication to education. A memorial will be announced at a later date and will be held in Spring or Summer 2022 in accordance with her commitment to the health of her community.