Marilyn was born to D.R. Miller and Ethel Miller of Murray, Iowa. She graduated from the University of Iowa where she met her husband, Jerry Hess. They moved to Overland Park, Kansas where she worked for the IRS and he served as Honorable Judge Jerry Hess. They were Chiefs fans and enjoyed raising their late sons, John and Tom. Marilyn is survived by her grandson Joel, his wife and their three daughters and her sister JoDee Miller Vonasek who lives with their youngest daughter Joletta Vonasek Girt.