Marilyn A. Ankenbrand, 84, of Browns, Illinois, passed away January 17, 2024, at Wabash General Hospital.

Marilyn was born to the late Victor and Catherine (Waterman) Pohl on November 1, 1939, in Haubstadt, Indiana. She married Michael A. Ankenbrand on January 19, 1963, in Haubstadt, Indiana and together they enjoyed 60 years of marriage. To this union four children were born: Kevin (Heidi Wagner) Ankenbrand of Crystal Lake, Illinois, Kim (Kevin) Smith of Mt. Carmel, Illinois, Kristi (Darian) Smock of Mt. Carmel, Illinois, and Kelly Ankenbrand of Mt. Carmel, Illinois. Also surviving are her five grandchildren Shea (Kali) Smith, Chloe (Dillon) Farmer, Pete (Shelby Terrell) Smith, Max Smock, and Haden (Savannah) Smock, five great-grandchildren: Jaxon, Camille, Safiya, Harmony and Izzy; two brothers: Don (Sharon) Pohl and Fred (Melba) Pohl of Fort Branch, Indiana, two sister-in-laws: Bernadette Pohl of Fort Branch, Indiana and Janice Pohl of Evansville, Indiana.

She is preceded in death by her parents, infant daughter Jennifer Ankenbrand, sister Sr. Victoria Pohl, five brothers: Victor Jr., Robert, Harold, Kenneth, and Eugene Pohl.

Marilyn attended AIC in Ferdinand and taught fourth grade at St. Joe in Evansville, Indiana for a year when she was seventeen. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Marilyn genuinely enjoyed her family and spending time with them at the Holidays and special meals. She owned an in-home daycare. Marilyn and Mike raised multiple foster kids over the years. She was a 4H leader for 11 years and Home Extension member for 42 years. Marilyn taught Sunday School classes for 16 years and was a member of the Daughters of Isabella for over 40 years. She loved playing bingo and clabber. Marilyn enjoyed feeding the birds, canning/freezing produce from their garden, and planting flowers.

Services will be held Monday, January 22, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Sebastian Church. A burial will follow at St. Sebastian.

Visitation will be held in the Chapel of Short-Cunningham Sunday, January 21, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. A Rosary to follow visitation at 4:00 p.m.

Memorials can be made to St. Sebastian Church. Envelopes will be available at the service.

Condolences may be sent to www.short-cunninghamfh.com Short-Cunningham Funeral Home is honored to serve Marilyn’s family.