Marion Kerns was born in Traer, Iowa on August 9,1914. Her parents names were William Earl Kerns and Zae Lucinda Hanson. Marion attended a Methodist Church. She attended Carlisle High School and matriculated to Dickinson College where she commuted daily. During College she student taught a junior English class at Carlisle High School. After graduation in 1934, Marion, became a High School teacher and married Leland Milspaw.