A Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper
Marilyn Westholm, 83, of Waukee, longtime resident of Albert City, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023 after a brief hospital stay at Methodist Hospital in Des Moines.
Funeral services were held Saturday, Nov. 25, at Evangelical Covenant Church in Albert City. Burial followed in Fairfield Township Cemetery in Albert City. Memorial donations may be made to the American Kidney Fund or Twin Lakes Bible Camp. Sliefert Funeral Home in Albert City was in charge of the arrangements.
Marilyn Westholm was born Dec. 4, 1939 at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Dodge, to Evangeline (Blomberg) and Milton Soderquist. Marilyn spent her youth in Albert City where she was active in scouts, Bible studies, band and choir. After graduation, Marilyn attended Fairview Hospital School of Nursing in Minneapolis, Minn. She began her nursing career at Fairview Hospital and had other brief stops along the way. Marilyn spent 35 years as a nurse at Buena Vista Regional Medical Center in Storm Lake. She was a dedicated nurse and loved to share the love of the profession with others.
While living in Minneapolis, Marilyn met Jim Westholm and began commuting back and forth to Albert City. A year later, Marilyn and Jim were married at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Albert City. The couple made their home on the family farm in Albert City where they raised their three children: Doug, Dan and Beth.
Marilyn was a proud mother and was her children’s biggest fan, spending countless hours at their sporting and musical events. She and Jim enjoyed many weekends visiting their kids at University of Iowa, where all three kids graduated, attending football games and watching Doug and Beth in the Hawkeye Marching Band. Later she became a proud grandmother to nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Her church was very important to her, and she was a faithful servant in many roles. She enjoyed being part of the Straw Horse store community and made many special friendships there. Marilyn was an expert at scrapbooking, making countless cards and albums that will be priceless keepsakes for family and friends. Marilyn recently completed an autobiography for her family and friends that will be a cherished legacy of her life.
In the spring of 2023, Marilyn moved to Waukee to be closer to family. She enjoyed time spent making new friends at Independent Village of Waukee. Her life will be celebrated by her children: Dan (Jill) Westholm of Urbandale; Beth (Tim) Ingram of West Des Moines; daughter-in-law, Rebecca Westholm of Sand Creek, Wis.; her cherished grandchildren: Derek (Jolene), Brandon (Alli), Benjamin and Danielle Westholm; Sarah, Nathan and Ryan Westholm; Elijah (Emma) and Gabe Ingram; two great-grandchildren, Rowan Westholm and Daniel Westholm; as well as many extended family and many friends.
Marilyn was preceded in death by her husband, Jim; son Doug; and her parents.
