Marilyn A. Alexander

Marilyn A. Alexander “Mrs. A.” left us on August 7, 2025. Marilyn was born September 5, 1936, in Abilene, Kansas. She was the youngest of three daughters born to Theodore L. and Norma E. (Johnson) Wheeler, who preceded her in death. The family lived in Richmond, Liberty, and Kansas City, Missouri. Growing up, she was a member of the Liberty Christian Church. She was also preceded in death by her husband John and her sister Joyce.

Marilyn graduated from Liberty High School in 1954 and worked for Southwestern Bell in the Commercial Department in Liberty, Missouri. Marilyn relocated to St. Louis, Missouri where she attended secretarial school.

In December 1962, she married her high school sweetheart, John L. Alexander. The Alexanders lived in Jonesboro, Arkansas and Columbia, Missouri before moving to La Crosse, Wisconsin in 1969, where John was the band director for the University of La Crosse Marching Chiefs, now the Screaming Eagles. Marilyn loved the “band kids” and they loved her. It was the highlight of her life to accompany the band wherever performances took them.

Over the years, Marilyn volunteered at nursing homes and became a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) before working as “Lefty”, a professional clown. She worked at the UW – La Crosse in various functions and attended classes at the Western Wisconsin Technical School. Marilyn’s fishing trips to Canada with John and others always provided fond memories. She was a genuine dog lover, having rescued many pets over the years.

Marilyn is survived by her son J. Brendon Alexander (Victoria) of Tlayacapan, Jalisco, Mexico; grandsons, Chase and Nicholas Alexander of Portland, Oregon; her sister, Maxine (Charles) King of Liberty, Missouri; her devoted nephew and niece, Steve and Lynn Wollard of St. Charles, Missouri; dear friends, Steve and Lisa Knudson and their two daughters, Hannah and Leah, of Madison, Wisconsin; and many nieces and nephews in the Kansas City area.

Marilyn will be laid to rest in the Mormon Coulee Memorial Park. A celebration of life will take place from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services in La Crosse, WI.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Coulee Region Humane Society.