Obituary

Marilyn Effie Westman 1932—2016
Marilyn Effie Westman, 84, of Rockford, passed away June 14, 2016. She was born April 24, 1932, in Rockford, the daughter of Hjalmar Borden and Effie (Rosenquist) Borden. Marilyn graduated from East High School in 1949, ranking 4th out of 410 students in the class. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree from Augustana College in 1953, majoring in elementary education and ranking 11th in a class of 177. She graduated cum laude, was honored to appear in the 1952-53 Who's Who among Students in American Universities and Colleges, and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. She married Alvin Westman on June 30, 1956, in Rockford, IL at First Lutheran Church. Marilyn was a YWCA board member, taught Sunday school for many years at First Lutheran and Alpine Lutheran churches, and was active in many church committees including music, worship, missions, and library. She led bible studies and was a lay lector and communion assistant to shut-ins. Marilyn completed a college course on crisis counseling and served six years on the CONTACT hotline, working two four hour shifts each month. She was a board member for the P.A. Peterson Home Auxiliary. She graduated in 1978, from the Laubach Literacy Course as a certified tutor. She worked with a 15 year old Laotian girl, helping her to speak English until she graduated from high school. Marilyn also tutored a woman from Turkey, two Korean boys, and many students in the Rockford Elementary Schools. She was a member of the Order of St. Luke, board member and president (1997) of the Rockford Chapter of Church Women United and served as Eucharistic Minister, lector, and on various committees at Christ Lutheran Church. Marilyn loved the outdoors. She enjoyed photography and was an avid tennis player well into her fifties. Marilyn is survived by her husband, Alvin; sons, David (Lori) of St. Joseph, MI, Paul (Nirmala) of Rock Island, IL, and Mark (former spouse Teresa) of Telluride, CO; grandchildren, Tyler (Rachel), Kayla, Colin, Derek, Kyra, Arjun, and Annika.
The service will be at 11 a.m. June 20, 2016, in the Fred C. Olson Chapel, 1001 2nd Ave, Rockford, IL, with Rev. Neal Cannon officiating. Visitation is prior to the service from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. Memorials may be made to the Westman Scholarship Endowment Fund at Augustana College in Rock Island, IL (Augustana College Advancement Office, 639 38th St., Rock Island, IL 61201). To share a memory and send online condolences, visit olsonfh.com.