Marilyn H. Louwsma

August 1, 1934 - May 26, 2021

Marilyn H. Louwsma, 86, of Oskaloosa died at the MHP Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa, Iowa on Wednesday, May 26, 2021. Marilyn was born Wednesday, August 1, 1934 in Eddyville, Iowa, the daughter of Lambert and Hendreen (Veldhuizen) Branderhorst. She attended Christian School through 8th grade and later graduated from Oskaloosa High School with the Class of 1952. On June 29, 1954 she was united in marriage to Ernest Louwsma at the First Christian Reformed Church in Oskaloosa. To this union three sons were born, Carroll, Eldon and Leon. Together Marilyn and Ernest shared over 60 years of marriage until Ernest’s passing on December 26, 2014. Marilyn was a homemaker for most of her life taking care of her family and her home. In addition to tending to her home and family she also helped Ernie on the farm. After they retired from farming, Marilyn went to work in the kitchen at the Oskaloosa Community Schools for 18 years. She was an active member of the First Christian Reformed Church in Oskaloosa and was involved in Ladies Bible Hour and always enjoyed volunteering in the church kitchen. Marilyn was a member of the Mahaska Hospital Auxiliary and volunteered her time working the snack bar in the hospital. She was an avid flower and vegetable gardener and enjoyed reading, solving word find puzzles, cooking, family gatherings. She took great joy in having shared her baked goods with her family. Her no bake more commonly known as “bird turd” cookies will be missed by all. Her family includes her children: Eldon (Joleen) Louwsma of Fremont and Leon (Mary) Louwsma of New Sharon; eight grandchildren; Andi (Jon) Doane, Amie (Todd) Roberts, Angie (Jeff) Dillon, Alyssa (Zac) Preston, Stacy (Erich) Crill, Brian (Jodi) Louwsma, Christina (Andy) Hawkins and Chelsea (Brandon) Abbas; twelve great grandchildren; her siblings, Joanne Vos of Sully, Pearl Vos of Sully, Calvin (Ruth) Branderhorst of Oskaloosa and Rose Van Woerkom of New Sharon. She is also survived by a sister-in-law, Shirley Bos of Texas and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her infant son, Carroll and a great grandchild, Julia Roberts. Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 29, 2021, at 10:30 a.m. in the First Christian Reformed Church in Oskaloosa with Reverend Jonathan Spronk officiating. There will be a family prayer service at 10:15 Saturday morning in the fellowship hall of the church. Burial will be in the Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Visitation will begin Friday, May 28, beginning at 1:00 p.m. in the First Christian Reformed Church in Oskaloosa and the family will be present from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the church Friday evening to greet friends and relatives. Memorials may be made to Oskaloosa Christian School or MHP Hospice Serenity House.