Marilyn Estill

MARILYN RITA ESTILL

Cedar Rapids

Marilyn Rita Estill, 89, of Elkton, Ore., formerly of Cedar Rapids, passed away quietly in her sleep on the morning of Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016, at the Lower Umpqua Hospital in Reedsport, Ore.

She was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on March 7, 1927, where she graduated from Immaculate Conception High School. She completed a registered nurse (RN) program for World War II deployment, but the war ended just before her graduation. She went on to work as an RN for 20 years. She was part of the Greatest Generation that gave full allegiance to God, family and country. Rita was the middle child of three children born to parents, Emil Joseph and Ellen Florence Lynott Charipar.

She was preceded in death by her husband of over 60 years, Wesley Boyd Estill; parents, Emil (Butch) and Ellen (Nel); brother, Robert Charipar (Bobby), killed in action at the Battle of the Bulge in Europe; granddaughter, Jennifer; daughter-in-law, Margaret Ellen Estill (Peggy); and nephew, Patrick.

She is survived by her seven children, including sons, Robert Eugene Estill, Wesley Gordon Estill, Thomas Joseph Estill, Paul Stephen Estill, John Charles Estill and Shannon Edward Estill; and daughter, Mary Ellen Estill-Childress. She is also survived by her sister, Patricia Utley; and nephews, Michael Utley, John Utley, Thomas Utley, Robert Utley, Daniel Utley and Christopher Utley. Each of her children was her favorite. Rita was also very proud of all of her daughters-in-law, 14 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Rita had a full life raising her children and making sure they were on the right path. She did this with keen wit and uncompromising integrity while raising her children in Albuquerque, N.M., and Livermore, Calif. Rita had an outgoing personality, sharp wit and sense of humor. She loved going to the horse races, playing bingo and the slot machines at local casinos, but always attending Sunday Mass. Rita was a music lover who loved to dance with her husband, Wes, and knew the lyrics to most songs. She loved going to the casino with her adult children and never missed a Kentucky Derby. She loved watching sports, especially the Oakland Raiders, San Francisco 49ers, the Hawkeyes and ISU, and her beloved Fighting Irish of Notre Dame.

Being raised by an Irish mother and Czech father, she enjoyed a few beers in the evening and a smoke or two during the day. Being tired or sick were not excuses to be used with Rita for not getting your business done. She had high expectations for her family always. She taught her children by example, commitment to family, always doing the right thing, financial prudence and the value of hard work.

Services will be held at St. Michael Catholic Church. She will be buried next to her husband at St. Michael Cemetery in Livermore, Calif.