Marilyn Jean (Benesh) Ziskovsky, 30 Jan 1934 - 05 Mar 2022

ZISKOVSKY, BENESH, DETERT, VANORNY, BOOTH, FEVOLD, DAWSON, BARTELT, HALCOMB, HOLAN, LEHMS, LUND

Posted By: Sarah Witte (email)
Date: 3/11/2022 at 14:31:17

Marilyn Jean (Benesh) Ziskovsky, 88, of Swisher, passed away on Saturday, March 5, 2022, at Compass Memorial Healthcare in Marengo. Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 9, 2022, at Brosh Chapel and The Avacentre in Cedar Rapids, located at 2121 Bowling Street SW. Celebration of Life services will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, March 10, 2022, at Brosh Chapel and The Avacentre in Cedar Rapids. Burial will be in Anderson Cemetery near Swisher.

Marilyn was born January 30, 1934, in rural Western, the daughter of Milo and Alma (Detert) Benesh. She attended grade school in Western and high school in Shueyville. She developed her love of basketball in high school and excelled at it all four years.

On February 20, 1955, Marilyn married Vernon Ziskovsky. They were married 51 years when Vernon passed in 2006. They established their family farm in rural Swisher and raised five children together. They were very proud of their Czech heritage and shared that with their children.

Marilyn was a true farmer; she raised the chickens and helped with every aspect of their farm. She referred to herself as Vernon’s hired hand. They were truly a farming team, always working together in the fields and in the garden. They worked hard but found the time to enjoy attending the various sporting events their children participated in; basketball, football, track, cross country and wrestling.

Marilyn was very involved in the farming industry. She was a member of the Johnson County Farm Bureau for over 63 years; serving as a director for several years. She was a member of the Johnson County Cow Bells and Cattlewomen and Cattlemen for over 46 years. She was on the Johnson County Extension and served a term as Secretary. For many years she was the friendly face everyone in Monroe Township saw when they went to vote.

Marilyn was known for her apple pies. In thirteen years, she made 12,891 pies for her daughter’s orchard in Iowa Falls. They always sold out quickly. Marilyn tended two very large gardens and really enjoyed her grandchildren happily joining her to help pick vegetables and sometimes eat them before they made it to the bucket.

Later in life, Marilyn enjoyed attending her grandchildren’s sporting events and still tinkered in her garden. Her family meant the world to her, and she was very proud of her children and grandchildren.

Marilyn is survived by sister Iona Vanorny of Solon, brother James (Esther) Benesh of Cedar Rapids and sister-in-law Erma Booth of Independence; five children Lynnette (Mark) Fevold of Lake View, Dwane (Ann) Ziskovsky of Marengo, Lyle (Deb) Ziskovsky of Dallas Center, Norman Ziskovsky of Swisher and Alan (Katherine) Ziskovsky of Swisher; ten grandchildren Katie (Brandon) Dawson of Des Moines, Anthony (Christy) Ziskovsky of Bettendorf, Darren (Alica) Ziskovsky of Bowling Green, Ohio, April Ziskovsky (Adam Bartelt) of Des Moines, Jill (Tyler) Halcomb of Waukee, Kelli (Mark) Holan of Pella, Jason (Roxanne) Fevold of Webster City, Jessie (Ryan) Lehms of Des Moines, Magdeline Ziskovsky of Swisher and Jeremiah Ziskovsky (Mandey Lund) of Pacifica, CA; nine great grandchildren Nathan, Lucas and Ellie Ziskovsky, Lillian Fevold, Levi and Laney Halcomb, Silas and Emery Holan and Nolan Lehms.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 51 years Vernon Ziskovsky, brothers-in-law Marvin Ziskovsky, Elmer Vanorny, and Richard Booth, sister-in-law Irene Ziskovsky and nephew Daniel Vanorny.

Memorials may be directed to the family at P.O. Box 31, Swisher, IA 52338.

Published in The Gazette on March 8, 2022.