Marilyn ascended into heaven on the evening of December 13, 2018 surrounded by her family and friends. There, she will be with God and guide us forever.

A native of Art, Texas, her parents were Reuben and Pearl (Vater) Leifeste. She is the loving mother of Ryne Kahan and the loving wife of Larry Kahan. Her sisters are Goldie Lease, of Art; Lyndith Kuhn of Fort Worth and Janet James of Venus, Texas. She also has many cousins.

Marilyn was the valedictorian of her class at Mason High School. After graduation she went to North Texas State University in Denton, Texas, majoring in Elementary Education and Music. She taught in Fabens, Texas for two years before spending twenty-two years at Pflugerville elementary School in Pflugerville.

As Ryne entered the seventh grade, the family moved back to Mason where Marilyn began her second career. The first stop was when she became the pianist/organist at the First United Methodist Church. She expanded her musical talents by playing for the 5 ^th Sunday Services and the German Song Fest. Later she became the musician for many of the Easter and Christmas Cantatas. Meanwhile, while Ryne played the sax for the Jazz Band under the direction of Corey Ash she became the Jazz Band pianist. This group played many functions in Mason including the annual Queen's Coronation. Finally to expand her horizon she worked as an assistant to Randy Hinkley at Jordan Cattle Auction on Mondays and three days a week with Randy Beckmann at Mason Funeral Home. As busy as she was, her top priority was to attend all of her son's athletic and academic events. Ryne was her life.

Marilyn would want to thank Dr. Williams and Cindy Loeffler RN at Hill Country Memorial hospital in Fredericksburg for their care along with all the hospice nurses. A special thanks to Rev. Peter Aguilar for giving her the sacraments of the church prior to her passing. A special thanks from Marilyn and her family to Katherine Hassler for her skill and comfort to the family. Thanks also to Dorothy and Jack Asbill, Randy Hinkley and Randy Beckmann for their help and support.

So in celebration of Marilyn's life one has to acknowledge that she was a Puncher forever. Unable to go to games, she listened to every play on the radio. In the end it was "Always a great day to be a Puncher and Cowgirl."

Services are under the direction of Mason Funeral Home and the First United Methodist Church with Rev. Peter Aguilar officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Marilyn's name to Hill Country Memorial Hospital Emergency Room Services, Hill Country Memorial Hospice, or the charity of your choice.

Pallbearers will be David Vater, Randy Hinkley, Jack Asbill, Stephen Mutschink and Brent Hinkley.

Visitation will be Monday evening from 5 - 7 p.m. at Mason Funeral Home.  Funeral service is Tuesday, December 18, at 11:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church.  Interment will follow in the Gooch Cemetery.