Baldwin Funeral Services

Marilyn Jane Parkinson

March 12, 1926 - January 6, 2026

Baraboo, WI. - Marilyn Jane Parkinson, age 99, of Baraboo, Wisconsin, died Tuesday, January 6, 2026, following a long illness.

She was born on March 12, 1926, on the family farm, east of Donnellson, Illinois, to Joel W. and Esther (Young) Laws. Marilyn attended the Walnut Grove one-room schoolhouse, a short distance over the field from their farm. She graduated from Hillsboro High School in 1944 and continued her education at Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois, receiving a B.S. degree in secretarial science. She completed her degree in just three years so she could marry Robert L. Parkinson. They were united in marriage on August 30, 1947, at the Donnellson Presbyterian Church.

The family lived in Cambridge, Illinois, for twelve years (1953-1965). In 1965, she moved to Baraboo, Wisconsin, with her husband and three children, where Bob was hired as the chief historian at Circus World Museum. There, Marilyn served for several years as secretary for the director of Circus World Museum and later volunteered often at the museum and at the Al Ringling Theatre. She was also periodically an officer of Circus World Museum, Inc., the bookkeeper for a local businessman in Baraboo, and was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Baraboo.

Marilyn Parkinson was a woman of unusual determination and independence. She embodied the expression, "Where there's a will, there's a way." She was a faithful wife as well as a loving mother and grandmother. Devoted to her family, she was very intentional about her generosity and how she expressed her love in meaningful and tailor-made ways to those around her.

In addition to her parents and husband, Marilyn was preceded in death by a daughter, Jo Lyn (Parkinson) Henning; sisters, Sarah (Eugene) Gray of Green Valley, Arizona, and Jo Ann (John) Noland of Decatur, Illinois.

Marilyn is survived by two sons, Greg (Nancy) Parkinson of Baraboo, Wisconsin, and Joel (Darla) Parkinson of Alliance, Ohio; nine grandchildren, Julie Parkinson, Emily (Ryan) Smith, Aaron (Sherry) Henning, Scott (Cortlynn) Parkinson, John (Sally) Parkinson, Ryan Henning, Becky (Jonathon) Cosgrove, Robert and Michael Parkinson; and 15 great-grandchildren.

Marilyn Jane Parkinson will be buried next to her husband, parents, and daughter in Donnellson Cemetery, Donnellson, Illinois. A private graveside service will be held for her family at a later date. Baldwin Funeral Services, 520 East St., Baraboo, WI, is assisting the family.