Marilyn Gill, 78, of Waterloo, Iowa formerly of Hudson, Brandon, La Porte City and
Reinbeck, IA, died Monday, December 28, 2009, at Manor Care Health Services. Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, January 2, at 10:00 a.m. at the
United
Church
of Christ,
Reinbeck
,
Iowa
with Pastor Joel Love officiating. Visitation will be Friday, January 1, 2010 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at French-Hand Funeral Home in Reinbeck. Burial will follow the funeral service at
Westview
Cemetery
in
La Porte City
Iowa
.
Marilyn G. “Karkosh” Gill was born March 12, 1931 at
Allen
Hospital
in
Waterloo
Iowa
. She was the daughter of James F. and Minerva Karkosh. She was raised on the family farm and graduated from
Reinbeck
High School
. She then attended the
University
of
Northern Iowa
. Marilyn left college and married her husband James F. Gill on August 14, 1950 at St. Edwards Church in Waterloo,
Iowa
; and began her own family. She and James had two daughters Lani Jo and Leisa Ann. She worked as a dance, ballet, baton and aerobic instructor as well in her later life as a travel agent.
She was an expert baton twirler and teacher, and was inducted into the National Baton Twirling Hall of Fame. Marilyn loved traveling, especially the memorable trip to Europe she took with her daughter Lani Jo, and her granddaughters Shauna and Jordan. She loved to shop and enjoyed a beer and polka every now and then. Her family remembers her most defining strength was her enduring spirit, bottomless heart and everlasting love for her family as well as her pride in her families’ history.
She is survived by her daughter Lani Jo “Gill” (Scott) Flesch of Libertyville, IL; granddaughters Shauna Danielle, and Jordan Brittany Flesch of Libertyville, IL; her grandogs
Cosmo Topper VII and Kodiak. She is preceded in death by her parents James F. and Minerva Karkosh, her husband James F. Gill and her daughter Leisa Ann Gill.
Memorials may be directed to the
United
Church
of Christ,
Reinbeck
,
Iowa
or
Cedar
Bend
Humane Society
1166 West Airline Highway
Waterloo
,
IA
50703-9634
or The American Heart Association
1035N. Center Point Road
,
Hiawatha
,
IA
52233
