Marilyn Cermak
CERMAK, SCHNEIDER, ALWINE, GAUDINEER, HOSIER, CERMAK-SANDBURG, CAIN, GOSSETT
Posted By: Sarah Fletcher (email)
Date: 11/21/2023 at 09:55:54
Marilyn Cermak, 92, died peacefully Sunday, November 5, 2023 surrounded by her family.
Visitation will be from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM, Saturday, November 11, 2023 at Lensing’s Oak Hill in Coralville. Funeral services will follow at 10:30 AM. Burial will be at Oakland Cemetery at 1:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to First United Methodist Church or to Boys Town.
Marilyn was born August 29, 1931 in Coralville, the daughter of William and Ella (Alwine) Schneider. She grew up in Coralville and attended grade school in the one room schoolhouse there. She was a graduate of St. Mary’s High School. Marilyn was a switchboard operator with Northwestern Bell for many years. She had also been employed at Kent Studio and Dr. Riddle’s Dental Office. She loved taking pictures and while working at Kent Studio, she won the top award for a group portrait entitled “My Three Sons” in 1966.
Marilyn married Russ Gaudineer in 1967 in Iowa City. Together they shared Russ’s two daughters, Annette & Carol, three grandchildren, Kevin, Mark & Lisa and multiple great grandchildren. After a decade, the marriage ended, but Marilyn continued to stay very close to her stepfamily for the rest of her life.
Marilyn married Joseph Cermak in 1980 in Iowa City. Joe had two boys, Craig & Chad and Marilyn added two more children to her heart and family. Marilyn and Joe were married 43 years until Joe’s passing earlier this year.
She was a member of First United Women of First United Methodist Church and was active in church activities. Marilyn loved to embroider and was involved in a club for several years making great friends. She loved the Chicago Cubs (Go Cubs Go!) and was a huge Iowa Hawkeye fan. Marilyn liked to bowl in her early years, collected Beanie Babies for herself and her grandchildren and painted highly detailed ceramics. Every day, she and Joe would go to their local Hy-Vee for breakfast and coffee and sit with friends until lunch. They made so many cherished friends there. They loved the neighborhood block parties and she was a great neighbor and loved getting to know everyone around her.
Marilyn and Joe rarely went places without each other. If she wanted to go shopping, he would patiently wait for hours. She could outwalk all of us! They enjoyed listening to live music every Friday in West Branch. They would travel up north for what she called a “leaf trip” to see the fall colors and would drive to Texas or Tennessee to visit family and friends. Every year they went to the Iowa State fair as a family vacation, it was one of her favorite things to do. Marilyn loved flowers and gardens and was a very good cook.
Marilyn loved any dog, deer, cardinal, hummingbird or squirrel she came across. Neighbor’s dogs were like extended family members to her. She also gave all the squirrels around the house names! She had three beloved dogs herself over the years.
More than anything, Marilyn adored all her family. She and Joe loved to watch grandkids every week and attend their events. She would host blended family holidays, birthday parties and dinners.
Marilyn is survived by her children, Craig (Diane) Cermak, Chad (Dayna) Cermak, and Annette (Jerry) Hosier; grandchildren, Katie (Lane) Cermak-Sandburg, Connor Cermak, Joe Cermak III, Tyler Cermak, Lisa Cain, Mark (Wanda) Hosier; great grandchildren, Amelia Cain, Deborah Hosier, Christina (Chuck) Gossett, Matthew (Ali) Hosier; son-in-law, Mike Cain.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Joe; daughter, Carol Cain; grandson Kevin Hosier; Uncle Ben and Aunt Dorothy Schneider; cousin Renee; cousin Ron; cousin Edwin.
Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service
Johnson Obituaries maintained by Cindy Booth Maher.
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