Obituary of Marilyn J. Lacina

Marilyn (Vitosh) Lacina, 75, of rural Iowa City, died Saturday, December 1, 2012, at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City. Funeral Mass will be held 10:30 Tuesday, December 4th at St. Bernadette Catholic Church in West Branch. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Monday at the Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City which will conclude with a prayer service at 7 p.m. Burial will be at the West Branch Cemetery. Memorial contributions in Marilyn's name can be made to Camp Courageous. Online condolences may be sent to her family through the web @www.gayandciha.com. Marilyn J. (Vitosh) Lacina was born April 3, 1937, in Iowa City; daughter of Joseph and Gertrude Vitosh. She graduated with the class of '55 at St. Mary's High School and later attended Iowa City Commercial College. She married Don Lacina on September 14, 1957, in Iowa City and together they raised their nine children. Marilyn was a loving and devoted wife and mother and always had meals ready to please and time for everyone. She cherished time with her family, and being grandma was at the top of her list! As their children left the house and life slowed down for Marilyn, she went to work for the City of West Branch, where she was employed for over 20 years serving in a variety of administrative roles. In her younger years she was an avid bowler, and more recently enjoyed game shows which helped to keep her the witty and knowledgeable woman she was. She was member of St. Bernadette's Catholic Church and the Altar and Rosary Society. She also cherished her monthly get-togethers with the Wednesday evening "coffee club." Her family includes her husband Don; nine children, Ron Lacina of Muscatine, Cathy Lacina of West Branch, Theresa Lacina of Iowa City, Mark Lacina (Jenny Lee) of South Amana, Jan Zenisek (Andy) of Solon, Al Lacina (Jill) of Iowa City, Sandy Gerard of Iowa City, Wendy Lacina of Des Moines and Mike Lacina (Sonya Mullen) of West Branch; 15 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren as well as numerous nieces and nephews. All families are blessed with angels. Marilyn's family was blessed with a true-blue saint; may we all hope to be half the wonderful person Marilyn was. She will be greatly missed by all!