Marilyn Cornman (Falk) was born on December 7, 1938 in Red Oak, Iowa. She dreamed of nursing school, but economic realities compelled her to move to Omaha for work following high school. In Omaha she met husband Charles (Charlie) where he was stationed at Offutt Air Force Base. They married on December 26, 1959.

Marilyn and Charlie welcomed son Joel in 1967 and daughter Jill in 1970. Marilyn enjoyed family camping excursions and road trips, church choir, and Boy Scout activities with Charlie and Joel.

The carefree years ended with Charlie’s sudden death in August 1981. Marilyn relied on her inner strength and deep faith in God as faced the challenges of raising her children alone, particularly after Joel’s leukemia diagnosis in 1983. Marilyn supported Joel through the horrible rounds of chemotherapy and radiation and could not have been more thrilled when he crossed the stage in spring 1985 to accept his high school diploma. Marilyn was proud that both of her children graduated from college and had the opportunity to pursue professional goals.

Although Marilyn never realized her childhood dream of becoming a nurse, she achieved success in her career managing and directing major renovations of large rental apartment communities. Marilyn worked tirelessly during long nights at the kitchen table to earn the highest level of certification within her field and was elected as the first female president of the Institute of Real Estate Managers in Omaha.

Despite facing tragedies and obstacles throughout her life, Marilyn will be remembered for her wide smile, infectious laugh, and sense of adventure and fun. Although Charlie remained the love of her life, Marilyn’s spirit and zest for life put her in the path of romance, and she enjoyed a long-term commitment with Bob Engelhardt in her later years.

Marilyn passed away on August 23, 2026, 45 years and one day following her beloved Charlie. In her final years, she was cared for, supported, and loved by daughter Jill and staff at Arbor Lane in Burnsville, Minnesota. Marilyn is survived by daughter Jill (Joerg), granddaughter Eliza, son Joel, sister Gwen, brother Eldon, and adored nieces and their children and grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. (visitation at 1:30) on Thursday, September 3 at Arbor Lane, 13810 Community Drive, Burnsville, MN. An interment ceremony will be held on Thursday, October 22, 2:00 p.m. at West Lawn-Hillcrest Cemetery in Omaha, NE.