Marilyn Schilling Payne

Marilyn Schilling Payne, 87, of Chippewa Falls, passed away on June 5, 2025, at Chippewa Manor, with loved ones by her side.

Born June 12, 1937, in Walla Walla, Washington, to Frederick and Hope (Christoffer) Schilling, Marilyn was one of 4 siblings. She graduated from Berkley High School in 1955, and went on to attend Whitman College where she graduated in 1959 with a Bachelor of Arts in English.

Following her graduation, Marilyn took on a teaching job in Seattle, Washington. Marilyn married Dean Payne on June 27, 1964, in Burbank, CA. Together, they moved to Chippewa Falls, and Marilyn continued her teaching career at Chippewa Falls Senior High School for five years until she and Dean started to raise their family. She later joined Dean at his business, A.A. Payne & Son, Inc., until they both retired in 1988.

In her spare time, Marilyn was an avid reader. She and Dean loved boating on the lake and traveling together. Marilyn enjoyed getting together with her girlfriends for lunch or quite a few games of Bridge. Marilyn was also a long-time volunteer in the administrative offices of the St. Joseph Hospice.

She is survived by her daughters, Stephanie (Jeffrey) Ware and Deanna (Chad) Petterson; granddaughters, Hope, Alison, and Olivia Ware; and sister, Vivian (Thomas) Nelson.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Dean; brother, Frederick Schilling, Jr. and sister Jocelyn (William) Cox.

At Marilyn’s request, the family will be holding a private service at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation, are appreciated.