Marilyn Faye Strattan Van Etten, 91, passed away peacefully at West Ridge Care Center on Friday, March 22, 2019.  She was a resident of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, since 1964. Celebration of Life services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 25, 2019 at Brosh Chapel and The Avacentre in Cedar Rapids, located at 2121 Bowling Street SW.  Inurnment will be in Czech National Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 24, 2019 at Brosh Chapel.

Marilyn was born on May 21, 1927 to Frank and Marjorie (Cogley) Strattan in Chicago, Illinois.  She attended LaSalle-Peru Oglesby Community College and Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois where she majored in fine arts. After graduating from Bradley, she taught in a one-room schoolhouse for a year.

While at LaSalle-Peru, Marilyn met John, and they later married on June 25, 1950 and lived in Dixon, Illinois. Eventually, John and Marilyn and their four children relocated to Cedar Rapids in 1964. Marilyn's life was filled with loving and nurturing her family and home, which carried into her compassionate and caring demeanor with her work in various roles in the Cedar Rapids Schools at Hayes, Grant, and Wilson Elementary for many years.

Marilyn and John were avid campers and cherished their time in the outdoors, and shared that love with their children and grandchildren for many years.  Marilyn loved birdwatching, walking in nature, and making jellies, jams, and juice from the wild berries she found while hiking or walking on her farm.  Marilyn was a talented seamstress, painter, artist, and musician. She loved playing piano and singing, and shared her gifts for many years in the Christ Church Presbyterian choir where she was a dedicated member since 1964.

Most importantly, Marilyn's life centered around her love for her husband, John, and her family.  Marilyn is the mother of four children: Frank Strattan (Linda) Van Etten of Walker; Tom Trumbo (Vickie) Van Etten of Cedar Rapids; Mary Beth (Gary) Van Hemert of Cedar Rapids; and Benjamin Palmer (Liz) Van Etten of Mount Vernon.  Marilyn is survived by ten grandchildren: Rebecca "Becky" Ann (Jason) Baedke, Joel Strattan (Emily) Van Etten, Andrew Trumbo (Janeen) Van Etten, Ann Marie (Bryce) Van Etten - Janey, Catherine Ann "Cakes" (Simon) Arden, Erin Christine (Chris) Miller, John Louis (Jessica) Van Hemert, Sara Beth (Uche) Maduka, Hanna Beth (Pete) Galloway, and Benjamin Levi (Stephanie) Van Hemert.  Marilyn is also survived by fifteen great grandchildren.

Marilyn was preceded in death by John, her husband of 62 years; her parents, and sister Marcene Hubbard. She was also preceded in death by her daughter Mary Beth, her daughter-in-law Carey, and her great grandson Luke.

Marilyn's family would like to express gratitude for the compassionate and attentive care that was given to Marilyn at West Ridge and The Views Senior Living Care Centers.

Memorials may be directed in Marilyn's name to Camp Courageous or Christ Church Presbyterian, Cedar Rapids.