Marilyn K. Harfst (nee Cook), 62, of Crystal Lake, passed away Saturday, March 2, 2013, (a few minutes shy of her 63^rd birthday), at the Hospice of Northeastern Illinois Inpatient Unit, Woodstock.

She was born March 3, 1950, in Chicago to the late Bert and Josephine (nee Fiumefreddo) Cook. She married Bill Harfst on Jan. 30, 1971.

Marilyn graduated from Thornton Township High School in 1968, and went on to earn her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, a Master’s degree in education from Indiana University, and a Master’s degree in Library Science from Northern Illinois University.

Career-oriented, Marilyn retired after working 30 years for Community Elementary School District 47, at Hannah Beardsley and Bernotas Middle Schools. She had taught Language Arts and, at retirement, was the Media Center Director. 

In addition to her husband, Bill, survivors include her children, Greg Harfst of New York City and Mandy (Mike) Harfst Snider of Vernon Hills; siblings, Evelyn, Brian, Roger, and Brad Cook; brother-in-law, Larry (Gretchen) Harfst; and nieces, Kara (John) Goodwin, Karen (Jeremy) Colie, Megan (Lee) Fleming, and Sandra Funk.

A memorial visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m., Thursday, March 7, at Davenport Family Funeral Home, 419 E. Route 176, Crystal Lake. 

Inurnment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Marilyn’s name may be made to First Book, www.firstbook.org, or 1319 F St. NW, Ste. 1000, Washington, DC 20004, or to the charity of one’s choice.