Marilyn Marie Anderson

Marilyn Marie Anderson, 79, of Keizer, Oregon, passed away peacefully at 11:10 p.m. on June 4, 2026, at Bonaventure of Keizer Assisted Living. She was born May 27, 1947, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Robert Andrew Behling and Joy (Jenkins) Behling, one of eight children, and was raised in Kaysville, Utah.

Marilyn graduated from Davis High School in Kaysville and began her working life at Franklin Swede in the 1970s, later working for Two MCK Logging Co. from the 1980s into the 1990s. She and her family lived in Fall City through the 1970s, moved to Dallas, Oregon, in the 1980s, and settled in Keizer, Oregon, in the 1990s, where she remained for the rest of her life. She spent nearly two decades as a fixture at Salem Sign, from 2003 to 2022, where her work ethic and warmth toward her coworkers became part of who she was. Her career came to an unexpected close in the winter of 2022, when she suffered a heart attack and stroke and entered retirement. Even then, what she missed most was the people and the daily rhythm of a job - she carried a lifelong passion for staying busy and being around others.

On October 8, 1966, Marilyn married the love of her life, Brent Peterson Anderson. Together they built a marriage of 53 years before Brent's passing in April 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. They raised two children: their son Christopher, born on Marilyn's own 20th birthday - May 27, 1967, in Clearfield, Utah - and their daughter Brenda, born September 15, 1969, in Salt Lake City. Above all, Marilyn's greatest love was to her God, Jesus Christ, and to her Church and Church family at Truth Tabernacle in Keizer, Oregon, where she worshipped, served, and belonged for 35 years. Her faith was the most pivotal part of her life - it was what she lived for and who she was.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her husband, Brent Peterson Anderson; her parents, Robert and Joy Behling; her younger sister, Judy Joy Spiker; and her youngest brother, Brian Ron Behling. She is survived by her son, Christopher David Anderson (59) of Keizer, Oregon, and her daughter, Brenda Marie Anderson (56) of Dallas, Oregon; her older brother, Conway Robert Behling; her sisters, Pamela Grove and Wendy Melinda Cerdena; her brothers, John Craig Behling and Cory Von Behling (who has since passed away on July 1, 2026); and numerous nieces and nephews who loved her. She passed just eight days after the birthday she shared with her son.

Services will be held Thursday, July 9, 2026, at Truth Tabernacle, 3795 Pleasant View Drive NE, Keizer, Oregon. Viewing will begin at 9:00 a.m., followed by the memorial service at 10:00 a.m. Refreshments will be served immediately after the service. Graveside interment will follow at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland at 1:30 p.m. Arrangements are being handled by Keizer Funeral Chapel.