Marilyn, age 86, died Tuesday, Jan. 7,2020 at the Monroe Care Center in Albia, Iowa.
She was born to Everette and Madge (Wilson) Sterling at the their home in Marion County on August 10, 1933. In 1935 the family moved to Monroe County where she lived the rest of her live.
Marilyn attended Lemon country school and graduated from Lovilia high school with the class of 1951.
She was joined in marriage with Gerald “Jud” VandenBerg in Knoxville, Iowa on Feb. 7, 1953. They had four children: Darla, Kenny, Russ, and Jaxine. Jud passed on Dec. 20, 1982
Marilyn and Jud owned and operated Vans Kennel. They sold dogs of many breeds nationwide. She later was a teacher’s aide, employed at Ragtime as an aide, and worked at Cindy’s Beauty Hut.
Marilyn had many talents such as: quilting, embroidering, writing, and journaling. She enjoyed date night with Jud, county fairs, the out of doors, decorating for Christmas, and was a faithful member of the Trinity United Methodist Church in Albia.
She is survived by her children: Darla (Al) Stafford of West Palm Beach, Florida, Kenny (Peggy) of Albia, Russ (Becky) of rural Lovilia, and Jaxine “Jackie” (Phil) Bauer of Knoxville, Iowa. She also has 9 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. Also, a brother Richard Sterling of Knoxville, a sister-n-law Bev Sterling of Knoxille and a brother-in-law and sister-in-law of Lovilia, Bill and Betty Weldon. Her roommate and friend at the care center, Judy Lahart, remains too.
Visitation will be 11 a.m.-7 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020 at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia. Her family will be there to greet family and friends from 4-7p.m..
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 13, 2020 at the Trinity United Methodist church in Albia, with Pastors Roger Henry and Lynda Carlson co-officiating. Burial will follow services in Oak View Cemetery in Albia.
A memorial has been established to the Trinity United Methodist Church in Albia. May she rest in peace.
Gayle Louella Hastings Obit
Gayle, age 79, died on Jan.10, 2020 at Monroe Care Center in Albia, Iowa
She was born to Vern and Pearl (Barnhill) Baker at their farm on Feb. 27,1940 in Monroe County. She attended country school and then graduated from Lovilia high school with the class of 1958.
Gayle married John Hastings at the Lovilia United Brethren Church on July 12,1959. They had four sons: Tom, Randy, Mark, and Ed. They shared 49 years of marriage and John passed away in 2008.
Gayle worked as a bank teller, Lovilia water bill clerk, and then skilled worker at Chicago Rivet in Albia from 1976 until retirement in 2002.
Gayle was a member of the Lovilia United Brethren Church, later the Lovilia United Methodist Church, and a member of Eastern Star. She liked traveling (even to Europe), Sudoku puzzles, Wheel of Fortune on tv, visits to the casino, gardening, canning salsa, and attending her grandchildren’s activities. Gayle was a wonderful cook and liked making special meals to share and especially loved time spent with family.
Surviving are Tom (Susan Wise), Mark (Kate), and Ed (Karissa) Hastings. Also she has 9 grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Two sisters: Norma Barnes and Lola Ivins survive as well as four sister-in-laws: Barb Hastings, Mary Jo Hastings, Betty Baker, and Hazel Baker.
Gayle was preceded in death by her husband, son Randy, her parents,sister Doris, brothers: Forrest, Jim, Don, and Merrill. Preceding her were 5 brothers-in-law and 2 sisters-in-laws.
Visitation will be held from 2-8 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 13, 2020 at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia with her family present from 5-8 p.m.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020 at the Lovilia United Methodist Church. Pastor Raymond Doser officiating. Per her wishes, cremation will follow and a private burial at a later date at Woodlawn Cemetery. An open memorial has been established to the family to be determined at a later date. May she rest in peace.