Marilyn Weems

MARILYN VLASKAMP WEEMS

Cedar Rapids

Marilyn Vlaskamp Weems, 84, died Aug. 3, 2018, at the Dennis & Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha. A private family inurnment took place Aug. 6 at Cedar Memorial's Chapel of Memories Mausoleum. A celebration of Marilyn's life will begin at 2 p.m. Aug. 24 at First Presbyterian Church, Cedar Rapids. Visitation will be prior to the service at 12:30 p.m.

Marilyn was born Feb. 3, 1934, in Dayton, Ohio. She was the third of four children born to Frederick and Dorothy Vlaskamp. She graduated from Fairview High School in 1952 and attended The Ohio State University, until she married the love of her life, James M. Weems, in 1955. Jim and Marilyn attended the same high school and university, where she excelled academically. When Marilyn and Jim married, she stepped away from her studies to help finance Jim's college education.

Through her steadfast faith in her husband's business vision, Weems Industries Inc., dba Legacy Manufacturing Co., was able to grow to the level of success it enjoys today. From the beginning, that vision was nurtured by her willingness and ability to do whatever needed to be done. Marilyn was co-founder and a sitting board member of the company, and her contributions to its success will never be forgotten.

She was a member of the Cedar Rapids Garden Club, Beethoven Club, Questers Club and started her own gourmet club. She was an alumna initiate of Alpha Phi and served on the Session as an elder at First Presbyterian Church. She was a member of P.E.O. and a founding member of Chorale Midwest, singing for many years.

Marilyn enjoyed music, reading, sewing, cross stitching, knitting, crossword puzzles, gardening, and was highly talented in the culinary arts. She also loved traveling and camping with her family. When it came to sports, she loudly cheered on her beloved Ohio State Buckeyes! Above all, Marilyn loved her family fiercely; each family member felt how much she cherished them, and that in her they had their biggest cheerleader and supporter.

She is survived by her husband of 62 years, James; children, Susan (Robert) Mollman, Robert Mark (Mary) Weems and Matthew (Susie) Weems, all of Cedar Rapids; grandchildren, Jessica (John) Witt, Jacob (Trisha) Weems, Daniel Weems, Corbin (Sarah) Mollman, Austin (Kelly) Weems, Rachel (Andy) Perez, Brian (Sally) Mollman, Sarah (Colt) Wendt, Megan (Brandon) Wubben and Michael Weems; and great-grandchildren, Asher Weems, Jaella Weems, Salem Weems, Jameson Mollman, Adalai Weems, Landon Witt, Titus Weems, Malachi Weems, Madelyn Witt, Samantha Jo Mollman, Havilah Weems, Lillian Perez, Calum Mollman, Jackson Witt, Jubilee Weems and a baby girl Weems, due in September.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Jackie Dolan and Patricia Young, her brother, Frederick Vlaskamp; granddaughter, Samantha Laura Mollman; and in-laws, Fred Dolan, Tom Young and Joan and Burdette Harris.

She was a wife, partner, lover, confidant, mother, best friend, steadfast supporter, an essential part of The Legacy – one who is loved endlessly and will be dearly missed.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed in Marilyn's name to the Marion-East Cedar Rapids Rotary Shoes for Kids fund or Chorale Midwest.

Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.cedarmemorial.com under Obituaries.