Marilyn Elizabeth Mead, 70, passed away Friday, January 23, 2026 at CHI Health St. Francis Medical Center in Grand Island, NE.
Marilyn Elizabeth Burggraff was born Tuesday, July 5, 1955, in Flandreau, SD to Henry and Dolores (Penning) Burggraff. In 1959 the family moved to Egan, SD where the family farm still breathes with the life and labor they poured into it. As the eldest of eight children, Marilyn learned early how to nurture, guide, and quietly help others thrive; a gift she carried with grace throughout her life. She graduated Co-Valedictorian from Egan High School in 1973.
During her high-school years, Marilyn served as a lifeguard and water safety instructor at the Trent, SD swimming pool. She watched over others with the same calm steadiness she later brought to every classroom. After graduation, she followed her calling to teach, attending Dakota State in Madison from 1973–1975, then Black Hills State from 1975–1976 before returning to Dakota State from 1976–1977. That spring she spent a year student-teaching in London, England, where her love for learning widened. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Dakota State College in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education.
Marilyn taught at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Dell Rapids during the 1977–1978 school year. She later moved to Shelton, Nebraska, and taught 5th-grade English and Reading from 1978–1980. There she met Kalvin Mead, and on August 2, 1980, they were married at Saint Simon and Jude Catholic Church in Flandreau, SD. Their 45-year union raised three children and shaped a home filled with encouragement, faith, and quiet strength.
The couple lived in Eddyville, NE for nearly seven years while Marilyn taught 6th grade in the Sumner-Eddyville-Miller schools. In 1986 they moved to their current home outside Shelton, NE. She substitute-taught in the Wood River/Shelton area from 1987–1988 before joining District #16 Plainview Country School, where she devoted 14 years helping students discover their abilities. After the country school closed, she taught middle-school English and Reading in Wood River for 13 more years, retiring in 2015 after 37 years of shaping young minds. That same year she received the “Friend of Education” award. She often stated, “To work with students and see the ‘light’ click, there is no greater thrill.”
Marilyn was a devoted daughter, sister, friend, wife and mother. She was a master gardener. Her garden was a place of great beauty, peace and provision for all. It flourished abundantly as she brought the same intention and diligence to it as she did to every task. She fully believed that if you were going to do something, do it well. Her generosity overflowed. Her meals gathered people. Her presence steadied them. No one could, “do it like Oma.” She was our cornerstone, our heart, our quiet poet of everyday grace. For these and countless other reasons, we will miss her dearly.
Marilyn is survived by her husband: Kalvin; three children: Kalyn (Anthony) Krotz, Wheatland, WY, Autumn (Michael) Peña, Shelton, NE and Derek (Carrie) Mead, Grand Island, NE; five grandchildren: Zailey and Katriel Krotz, Micaiah and Annaiah Peña and Kedrek Mead; seven siblings: Frank (Lynda) Burggraff, Egan, Lonnelle (Keith) Rasmussen, Newman Grove, NE, Wayne (Sandy) Burggraff, Volga, Lloyd (Lori) Burggraff, Union, NE, Karon (John) Tassava, West Fargo, ND, Gordon Burggraff, Egan, and Glenn (Jackie) Burggraff, Egan.
Marilyn is preceded in death by her parents Dolores and Henry Burggraff.
Please join us 10 a.m., April 18th, at the Abundant Life Christian Center in Grand Island, NE to celebrate Marilyn Mead’s life. Dress in your loveliest floral patterns. Flowers or any other contributions would be welcomed by the family at the Celebration of Life service in April.
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