November 19, 1946 - August 12, 2026

Marilyn L. (Olds) Scheffler was born in Minneapolis, Minn., to Clifford and Lucille (Wannebo) Olds. After living in Minneapolis for a short time, her family moved to Fremont, Neb. Marilyn spent every summer at the family's cabin near Duluth, Minn., where she developed a lifelong love of Northern Minnesota, especially Lake Superior. Growing up, she enjoyed horseback riding, time outdoors, and reading. After graduating, Marilyn attended Midland Lutheran College, where she met David Scheffler on a blind date. David and Marilyn were married on December 3, 1965.

Marilyn and Dave began their married life in Fremont, where they welcomed their first daughter, Stephanie. In 1969, they moved to Wood River, Neb., where both Dave and Marilyn taught school and where they welcomed three more daughters, Erin, Mary, and Delia. Marilyn was a lifelong educator. She began her teaching career in Wood River, later earning her master's degree in special education from Kearney State College and her doctorate from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. As special education services expanded across the state and nation, Marilyn remained committed to improving educational opportunities for students with disabilities.

Her career in higher education began at Kearney State College. In 1983, the family moved to Lincoln, Neb., where Marilyn continued her career at the Barkley Center at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. She served as an instructor, administrator, grant writer, grant manager, evaluator, and grant development consultant. Her expertise was recognized at both the state and national levels.

Marilyn and Dave loved vacationing in Northern Minnesota on Lake Superior. They were blessed with five grandchildren: Trent Scheffler and Rachel, Atticus, Simone, and Sophia Haake. Marilyn also loved her dogs, Jerry, Schroeder, Tofte, Gunflint, and Nordie. After retirement, she joined a local dog club and began competing across the Midwest, winning several awards. Through those competitions, she met many dear friends and stayed in touch with several of them after she stopped competing.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, Clifford and Lucille (Wannebo) Olds; her infant brother, Stephen; and her husband, David. She is survived by her daughters, Stephanie Scheffler of Lincoln and her son, Trent Scheffler of Watertown, S.D.; Erin Scheffler of Lincoln; Delia Scheffler of Lincoln; and Mary Scheffler of Olathe, Kan., and Mary's children, Rachel of St. Cloud, Minn., Atticus of Olathe, Kan., and Simone and Sophia of Lawrence, Kan. She is also survived by her brothers-in-law and their wives, James and Susan Peterson of Lincoln and Mark and Jane Peterson of Bonner Springs, Kan.; sister-in-law and husband, Marianne and Charlie Adams of Helena, Mont.; sister-in-law, Merlynd Scheffler of Sacramento, Calif.; many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Memorials - Memorial gifts may be made to Brave Animal Rescue, P.O. Box 21864, Lincoln, NE 68542, or online at https://www.brave-animal-rescue.org/donate.

Condolences can be left at bmlfh.com.

Arrangements by Butherus, Maser & Love Funeral Home.

Published by Lincoln Journal Star on Aug. 23, 2026.