Marilyn Kay Shankster, 71, of rural Silver Lake, died peacefully in the company of family at her home at 8:50 a.m., Thursday, April 13, 2023.

She was born on May 16, 1951, in Kosciusko County, Indiana, a daughter of the late Edward E. and Frances (Geiser) Cook.  She grew up in the Silver Lake area.

On November 20, 1976, she married Carl S. Shankster.  They have always made their home in the Silver Lake area raising eight children.

For ten years she worked at Timbercrest in North Manchester as a nurse's aide.   In 2004, she joined her husband delivering Auto & RV magazines throughout the region.  She retired in 2016.

She was a member of the Old German Baptist Brethren New Conference Church of North Manchester.

Surviving is her husband of 46 years, Carl; children, Frederick (Wendy) Shankster of Wonewoc, WI, Steven (Susannah) Shankster of Claypool, Mary Frances Shankster of North Manchester, Simeon (Melanie) Shankster of Santo, Haiti, Esther Shankster of Silver Lake, Christy Shankster of Silver Lake, Karen Shankster of Silver Lake, Reuben Shankster of New Paris, Ohio; 15 grandchildren; and siblings Alvin (Connie) Cook of Silver Lake, Martha (Charles) Burbank of Silver Lake, Jeffrey (Pam) Cook of Beaver Dam and Eldon Cook of Silver Lake.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Melvin Cook, and a daughter-in-law, Emma Shankster.

Visitation is 2 to 8 p.m. Friday and 2 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the Old German Baptist Brethren Church New Conference, 1013 West State Road 114, North Manchester, Indiana 46962.  The funeral service is 10 a.m. Sunday at the church with burial to follow at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery.  Arrangements are in the care of Smith & Sons Funeral Homes of Columbia City & South Whitley.