Remember When: Local teacher impacted countless lives

Editor's note: This piece originally ran in the November 14, 2019 edition of the Sentinel-News. Marilyn Meyer died on Jan. 31, 2021, at the age of 89.

Have you ever spoken with someone and a cascade of beautiful memories fills your mind as they speak? I was given strict orders to not fluff up this article, but I find that hard to do when it is in regard to someone I, and so many of us, cherish so much: My first-grade teacher, Mrs. Meyer.

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Born in 1931 at Lord Lister Hospital in Omaha, Marilyn (Nelson) Meyer had teaching in her blood from Day 1.

"My great uncle was a teacher in Denmark. My godmother and mother taught, as well as my aunts," she recalled, noting all four of her grandparents emigrated from Denmark to tiny Brayton, Iowa in Audubon County. "Maybe it runs in your blood. I think personality plays a role too. It really is 'fulfilling a need' as far as what you want to be in life."

Marilyn chose the path of her ancestors and decided to teach. After high school she went to two years of school at Dana College, where she received her teaching degree and met her former husband, Bob Meyer.

She started her teaching career as a second grade teacher in York, Neb., then moved to Omaha where she taught sixth grade for a year. She and her husband moved back to his hometown where the two lived on a farm outside of Everly.

Marilyn then started teaching first grade as an Everly Cattlefeeder.

"I have always liked little children," she said. "You know, you do all become my children."

I can attest for many of Marilyn's other former students – including myself – we do.

Reading was Marilyn's favorite part. She wrote some of her own curriculum, including poetry books and skit scripts. Her reading nook was a truly beautiful place filled with pillows, quilts and was tucked on top of a loft above all else in the classroom corner. That reading loft was the place to be.

She made an element of fun out of every purposeful learning moment. Accomplishments were never gone unrewarded, field trips were aplenty and themed days/events like Pioneer Days and Reading Parties were always on the calendar.

Warm fuzzies were handed out to those worthy of recognition or reward. Circle time on the carpet squares was quite a coveted part of the day as well. A song upon your entry and a song before you left, feeling at home in her classroom and looking forward to your return. These are memories that we joyfully look back on, because she was that good at what she did. We were more than students. Her career was more than a job.

"I have never been sad that I taught," Marilyn said with a smile.

Those that know the legendary "Mrs. Meyer" know that when she says something, she surely means it.

Marilyn and Bob had three children: Jeff, Jennifer and Joel. All graduated as Everly Cattlefeeders. Marilyn has six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Two of her children and two of her grandchildren became teachers as well. The gifts continue to be received and given.

Through class after class of first-graders, Marilyn sometimes taught two generations of children. She taught my father, brother and I. This was the case for many others as well. Cherished and familiar classroom memories that students and teacher hold dear.

"I still receive Christmas cards from former students," she said. "I sincerely enjoy them all,"

When asked what changes she has seen or what hindrances arose during her many years of teaching, Marilyn pointed towards technology. She said that it may be the children that changed or their lack of necessity to "do," but the "spoon-fed entertainment" was not helping the children or the family-life of many, then or even now.

"I know this may not be a popular answer, but I have to say that everything changed when television came," she recalled.

Marilyn retired in 1997 after more than 35 years in teaching. She has kept busy in her retirement.

Her first post-retirement mission was to pay homage to the rural schools of Clay County. She did so by creating a history book directory of each. The book is a beautiful tribute to the rural one-room schoolhouses that used to line the Clay County roads and helped to raise many of our grandparents and great-grandparents alike.

Her photography, hours of volunteer work, grant writing, conducting interviews, and procuring legal descriptions and records at the courthouse helped make history come alive and remain preserved for generations to come.

Next on her to-do list was making sure historical landmarks have proper signage. Each original location of rural schoolhouses has been labeled with a sign, largely due to Marilyn's efforts.

She has provided tutoring for many children in the Spencer and Everly areas. She has also lent a helping hand as guest reader and guest Grandma at the Everly Library and former Little Mavs Childcare Center.

She has dug deep into her Danish ancestry, making trips to Denmark to meet her living relatives.

"I'll never forget getting off the plane in Copenhagen, knowing that my relatives left there to create better lives for themselves," she said. "That was pretty special."

Marilyn currently has numerous ongoing projects, one of which is volunteering at the Parker Museum in Spencer.

She is also writing a column, "Forever Young," for her church, Bethany Lutheran in Spencer, in which she interviews members of the congregation. Marilyn enjoys shining the spotlight on others, but isn't too keen on it shining on herself.

She is a volunteer at Spencer schools, helps teach English, plays games, works on word cards, reads and listens to young readers in the first-grade classroom.

As if all of this weren't enough, she has been quilting and trying to preserve history in other projects along the way.

She huffed at the idea of slowing down.

"I would be remiss not to use my training," she said. "I am able to and that is what I'm here for. If I wasn't using them, then I should be ashamed of myself.

"I think older people sometimes feel they aren't of any use," she continued. "But we are...all of us, until we are needed no longer."

A purposeful life. A duty given by God, maybe that Danish teaching blood, or both. Gifts that have touched countless lives. A demeanor, charm, and resolve that are incomparable. A method of teaching that resounded with nearly every student. To find a student that had Mrs. Meyer and doesn't consider her their very favorite teacher, or close to it, is next to impossible.

This may not be the typical "Remember When" column that I had inclined I would write for you Marilyn, but I would be remiss not to thank you on behalf of all of your former students and myself...Thank you Mrs. Meyer. You are loved and we are so grateful. As I know you are an avid poetry lover, this poem is for you.

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To teach is to not,

Forget who you're not,

It is to impress upon those,

Why you're sought,

To give to the wide-eyed,

The yearning and true,

To teach to them,

Speech to them,

Preach to them "view",

Your training has led you,

To help them to climb,

So, you opened the door,

To their hearts and their minds,

Children are precious,

You showed us first-hand,

And being your student,

Was ever so grand,

Your "children," we thank you,

For your time and your love,

You are a teacher,

WE are so proud of.