Marilyn Joan Nelson Meyer was born on June 3, 1931 to Arnold Jens and Agnes Miller Nelson in Omaha, Neb. She was an only child but enjoyed life with many, many cousins. She attended schools in Omaha, graduating from Technical High School in 1948 and then enrolled at Dana College in Blair, Neb. for two years. With the teaching certificate she earned there, she taught in York, Neb. and then in Omaha.

While at Dana she met Robert Meyer, of rural Everly, and on Aug. 10, 1950 they married. Bob served in the U.S. Navy for four years and during that time twins Jeff and Jennifer were born in 1953 a...