Marilyn Elizabeth Harp 1952 - 2016

HARP, ESSICK, WALL

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 5/11/2016 at 22:09:25

Sioux City Journal
8 May 2016

SIOUX CITY | Marilyn Elizabeth Harp, 63, of Sioux City passed away on May 5, 2016, surrounded by her family.

Memorial services will be 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Heartland Baptist Church in Sioux City.

Marilyn came into this world on Nov. 20, 1952, in Cherokee, Iowa, welcomed by her parents, Lowell Troy "Lucky" and Dorothy Essick. Always a curious mind and an avid reader, Marilyn proved to be a dedicated student and graduated from Washington High School in Cherokee in 1971.

Following graduation, Marilyn married Keith Wall and they were blessed with three sons, Ira, Everett, and Barton. Marilyn later attended Buena Vista in Storm Lake, Iowa, majoring in history. She often spoke eloquently and confidently about divergent religions, cultures, and figures from around the world. Marilyn's energetic personality, free-spirit and fun-loving attitude were present from childhood and continued throughout her lifetime as she brought liveliness into every room or conversation she entered.

Marilyn was happily wed to Cary Harp on Aug. 28, 1998. Marilyn was compassionate, accepting, and overwhelmingly understanding of people from all walks of life, as evidenced by all of the lives she touched, from co-workers to newly made friends on a bus ride home. Marilyn could literally strike up a genuine, sincere conversation with anyone. This skill proved invaluable at what was, perhaps, Marilyn's favorite job, at Gateway in North Sioux City. Marilyn spoke so frequently and so fondly of her co-workers from Gateway. She had so many stories, anecdotes, cherished friendships from her years as a Gateway employee.

Many of Marilyn's most exciting and elaborate stories included those about her children and grandchildren, who were truly her pride and joy. She could often be overheard enthusiastically sharing about their accomplishments. Marilyn was a frequent spectator at sporting events, and once sang Queen's "We are the Champions" during a Little League championship game. She loved dance recitals, playing Barbies, school concerts, whimsical crayon drawings for her refrigerator, and hugs from all of her grandchildren. Grandma Marilyn's hugs were precious, and will be greatly missed.

Left to cherish Marilyn's memory are her devoted husband, Cary Harp; her three sons, Ira Wall and his wife, Marcy, Everett Wall and his wife, Karen, and Bart Wall and his wife, Jennifer; her adoptive son, John Sigmund and his daughter, Haleigh. Grandchildren include, Brady, Isabella, Ellie, Emma, and Tyson. Marilyn is also survived by her siblings, Steve and Marla Essick and Stan and Barb Sorokowski; and a niece, Kelsey Landhuis and her husband, Josh.

Marilyn was preceded in death, to be reunited in heaven with her parents, Lucky and Dorothy Essick, and she will surely have a wonderful Mother's Day celebration with her Mom.