Nita McLaughlin

Nita Joan McLaughlin, 86, of Holland, Mich., formerly of Marathon, died Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Holland, Mich.

Visitation will be held Friday, Aug. 9, from 5-7 p.m. at Sliefert Funeral Home in Albert City. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established.

Nita McLaughlin, the daughter of Ruth and Clyde Wolf, was born in Marathon on June 1, 1938. Nita spent her early years in Marathon, but attended kindergarten in Sioux City, when her father worked for Wincharger during World War II. Their family then moved back to Marathon for her first through eighth grade years. Nita started her ninth grade year in Watertown, S.D., but then her family moved to Laurens, where she attended Laurens High School for the remainder of her ninth and tenth grade years. Nita’s family returned to Marathon for the remainder of her high school years, where she graduated as the Valedictorian in 1956.

Following high school, Nita was employed at Citizens State Bank for two years, during which she became engaged to Gene McLaughlin. On March 22, 1958, Nita and Gene were married in United Methodist Church in Marathon. They became parents of three children: Robert, Paula and Jon. During these years, Nita raised their three children and supported Gene with the family farm business. 

Nita’s first priority was her family, but she loved music, history, reading and travel. She was an excellent pianist and organist and worked as an organist at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Albert City for 18 years. She and Gene shared a love of music, and they were frequently asked to provide music for various events and services. It was common to hear Gene singing while Nita accompanied him in their home as they practiced for a special occasion. 

As the children began to leave home for college, Nita’s father Clyde became a resident of Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Laurens. To spend more time with him, Nita began working at the home as music coordinator, a role she continued for 16 years. She enjoyed the rich history of the residents and the joy shared through music.

Throughout her life Nita always stressed the importance of education. When she finished high school, she received a scholarship to cover her tuition at Iowa Teachers College (UNI), but her family did not have the resources to cover the remainder, so she went into the workforce. Later in life, Nita insisted that all her children would continue some form of education beyond high school. Once her last child was off to college, Nita decided to fulfill a life-long dream of attending college herself and took courses over a span of 10 years at Iowa Lakes Community College for her own satisfaction. She also loved travel, and she carefully planned every annual vacation around stops at historical or national sites of interest. Those two weeks a year were her chance to see new things and to expose her family to new ideas and places from coast to coast. She instilled a spirit of adventure in her children, which has enriched their lives to this day.   

After Nita and Gene retired, they enjoyed traveling, visiting their children and grandchildren, and having more time for their various interests. They both were active in the Choraliers, a local choral group where Gene sang and Nita accompanied. They enjoyed some significant events together during this period, with their farm becoming a Century Farm in 1999 and having their 50th wedding anniversary in 2008.

Through the years in Marathon, Nita was active in the American Guild of Organists, Order of the Eastern Star, Marathon United Methodist Church activities and The Genies, a local genealogy club. She had a wonderful group of long-time friends from these activities as well as from her ladies and couples card clubs which spanned over 40 years.  

Following Gene’s passing in 2010, Nita moved to Zeeland, Mich., to be closer to her daughter Paula and her family, where she spent the last 14 years. Nita appreciated the many new friends made along the way and experienced the excitement of moving to a new place late in life. In 2017 at the age of 79, she achieved a life goal of getting to visit Europe, and more specifically Germany, which she had researched extensively due to her passion for genealogy.

In the later years, Nita’s family was her focus. She enjoyed conversations and time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a talented, kind and a special lady to those who knew her, and we will cherish her memory.  

Nita is survived by her children: Robert McLaughlin of Onawa; Paula and Kevin De Roos of Zeeland, Mich.; Jon and Christine McLaughlin of Cincinnati, Ohio; in addition to seven grandchildren: Jennifer McLaughlin, Tim (Taylor) McLaughlin, Jacob McLaughlin, Lindsey (Carlos) Castro, Kelsey De Roos, Laura (Brandon) Reese and Samuel McLaughlin; three great grandchildren: Elliana and Elijah Castro; and Daniel McLaughlin. Additional surviving loved ones include her brother Jim Wolf; many nieces; nephews; cousins and friends.

Preceding her in death are husband Gene McLaughlin, and parents Ruth (Negus) and Clyde Wolf.