Marilyn Eittreim

Thursday, March 12, 2020 2:52 pm

Marilyn Eittreim, 95, of Decorah, died Monday, March 2, 2020, at Barthell O.E.S Home in Decorah. Funeral services were at 11 a.m., Wednesday, March 4, at the First Lutheran Church, Decorah, with Rev. Simon Hanson presiding. Burial was in the Lutheran Cemetery, Decorah. Visitation was from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the First Lutheran Church, Decorah. Organist was Marcia Engebretson. Hymns were “Holy , Holy, Holy Lord God Almighty,” “Beneath The Cross Of Jesus” and “Oh God, Our Help In Ages Past.” The Schluter-Balik Funeral Home handled arrangements.

Marilyn Francis Eittreim was born Jan. 29, 1925, the daughter of Oliver and Mabel (Rohm) Eittreim in Decorah. She attended West Decorah Elementary School, East Junior High School and Decorah High School. Her father taught her to play the violin and she played in the family orchestra. She also played violin in the high school orchestra. She graduated from Decorah High School in 1943 and Luther College in 1947. While in college, Marilyn worked at the radio station (KWLC) with her father. She was the first woman at Luther to earn a radio operator’s license. Marilyn taught kindergarten and first grade at Hansel. Then she moved to Waterloo, where she filled several positions in the Waterloo system over the next 39 years. She taught first grade, kindergarten, remedial reading for grades one to six and completed her career as elementary language arts coordinator. She retired in 1987. Since retirement, she has pursued the usual retirement activities; some travel, hobbies of tole painting, sewing, crocheting, knitting and gardening. For the last several years she has been living in Decorah at the Barthell O.E.S Home.

Marilyn is survived by her sister, Janice Imse, Land O’ Lakes, Wis., along with many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Oliver and Mabel (Rohm) Eittreim; brothers, Oliver Eittreim Jr., Curtis (Maxine) Eittreim, Pastor Kinley (Ann) Eittreim, Pastor Orrin (Jean) Eittreim, Irving (Jean Ann) Eittreim; sister, Carol Brooks.