Marilyn Coe Harwell

Marilyn Coe Harwell

"Beloved Wife, Mother and Nana"

Marilyn Coe Harwell, age 96, passed away peacefully on March 12, 2026, at The Courtyard in Oshkosh, WI, and was surrounded by the love and support of her family.

Marilyn was born on June 10, 1929, in Oshkosh, WI, to the late Warren F. Coe and Lillian (Rose) Coe.

Marilyn attended Monticello College and later moved to Florida, where, as a young woman in the 1950s, she made history as the first female poolside lifeguard on Daytona Beach. Around that same time, she joined a synchronized swimming team, continuing her lifelong love of the water, which began with boating with her father on Sunday afternoons on Lake Winnebago.

On April 28, 1956, she married James Harwell, who had three daughters: Joy, Jeanie, and Jerri. Together, Marilyn and Jim also had three children of their own: Kim, Jim, and Stacy. Marilyn always wanted a big family and embraced the blending of the families wholeheartedly.

One place that always held special meaning was Lake Burton in northeastern Georgia. The lake was the setting for many cherished family memories and annual reunions that brought relatives together from all over the country. At those gatherings, Marilyn was surrounded by stories, laughter, and generations of family who loved being near her.

She enjoyed the simple pleasures of life, including laughter, Leon's shakes, the view from her porch, old movies, and any kind of chocolate. Marilyn loved both playing and watching golf and spent many years playing in two local golf leagues. The game brought her not only joy but also some of her most cherished friendships. She and her golf friends traveled to courses in different states, sharing plenty of laughs and memorable rounds along the way.

Marilyn also had a fondness for classic cars and owned several over the years. Her 34' Ford was used in the film "Public Enemies," which she was very proud of. She loved traveling and seeing the world. Some of her adventures included Kenya, New Zealand, the Netherlands, South America, Australia, England, Greece, and annual trips to Maui with her special friend Shirley Nerenhausen.

Marilyn often said how fortunate she felt to have wonderful neighbors throughout her life, first on Dale Ave., and then later on Nicolet Ave., where she met her dear friend, the late Kay Eccles. She truly meant it when she said she was blessed.

She created countless memories with those she loved. Marilyn's legacy of love and generosity will live on through her family and the many lives she touched. She will be deeply missed but forever remembered.

Marilyn is survived by her three children, Kim (Jim) Feldner, Jim (Carrie) Harwell Jr., and Stacy (John) Donnelly; her two loving stepdaughters, Jeanie Christopher, Jerri Delaney; her 15 grandchildren, Sara Trembly, Matthew Harwell, Tanner Harwell, Anna Montez, Katie Harwell, Brady Coffren, Madelyn Harwell, Jan Romkey, Teri Morgan, Steven Lucas, Leslie Castellanos, Kelly Barlow, Carol Christie, Wayne Stuler and Cory Harwell. She is also survived by 25 great-grandkids and even a few great-great-grandkids, along with many other relatives and friends who will keep her memory alive.

She is preceded in death by her husband, James Harwell Sr., her parents, Warren F. Coe and Lillian Rose Coe; her sister, Nancy Heaney, and her stepdaughter, Joy Harwell Lewis.

A memorial service for Marilyn will be held on Monday, March 30, 2026, at 5:00 pm, at Konrad Behlman Funeral Home-Westside, 100 Lake Pointe Drive, Oshkosh, WI. A time for visitation will be held before the service, starting at 3:00 pm. A private inurnment will take place at Lake View Memorial Park in Oshkosh the following day.

Her family is deeply grateful for the compassionate care provided by the staff at The Courtyard in Oshkosh and the hospice team from Moments Hospice, whose kindness and support meant so much during Marilyn's final days.

A memorial has been established at St. Jude's Children's Hospital and the Oshkosh Area Humane Society if you wish to donate in her name.