"GONE! WHERE? Imagine you are standing at the seashore. A ship at your side spreads her sparkling white sails to the gentle morning breeze & starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of exceptional beauty & strength, & you stand & watch her as she sets her course away from the shoreline. Long, at last, she hangs like a speck of white cloud, just where the sea & sky meet & mingle with each other. "There. She is Gone!" Gone! Where? Gone from sight, that is all. Out there, she is just as large in hull, mast, sail, & spar as when she left your side... and, just as able to bear her cargo of living freight to the place of her destination. Her diminished size is in you, not in her. And, lo! Just at the moment when one at your side says: "There! She is gone", there are other eyes on yonder shore watching for her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout: "Here! She comes!" And, this is what we call dying... this is life! Praise the Lord. Bless the name of our Lord. Home at last! ~AMEN~"
In loving memory of
Marilyn Slobodnik
July 26, 1935 - February 8, 2010
Marilyn Slobodnik, 74, of Mt. Pleasant, IA, died Monday, February 8, 2010, at the Park Place Long Term Care Unit in Mt. Pleasant. Visitation will begin after 2:00 p.m., on Friday, February 12, 2010, at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, where the family will greet friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. The Rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m., followed by a Christian Vigil Service. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, February 13, 2010, at the St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, with the Rev. Joseph Phung officiating. Burial will be in St. Alphonsus Cemetery. Memorials have been established to Hospice of Central Iowa and St. Alphonsus Catholic Church. Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel of Mt. Pleasant is in charge of arrangements. Born July 26, 1935, in Council Bluffs, IA, Marilyn Gay was the daughter of Gerhardt and Innocentia Munchrath Schneider. She was a graduate of Abraham Lincoln High School in Council Bluffs, and attended business school for two years. On October 9, 1954, Marilyn married James Slobodnik in Council Bluffs. The couple moved to Mt. Pleasant in 1970. Jim preceded her in death on August 4, 2004. A homemaker, Marilyn was always busy spending time with family and following her children and grandchildren's sporting activities. She was a member of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, where she was active in the Altar and Rosary Society. She was an avid Bridge player, enjoyed bowling in her younger years, and liked to play Bingo. Marilyn was a St. Louis Cardinals, New York Yankees, and Dallas Cowboys fan. Marilyn is survived by four sons, Francis (Cathy) Slobodnik of Topeka, KS, Stephen (Judith) Slobodnik of Mt. Pleasant, IA, Mark Slobodnik of Spring Grove, PA, and Christopher Slobodnik of Spring Grove, PA; four daughters, Anne (David) Russell of Davenport, IA, Therese Slobodnik of Mt. Pleasant, IA, Lisa (Rickie) Brooks of Mt. Pleasant, IA, and Cathy White of Mt. Pleasant, IA; and three brothers, her twin, Gerald (Ida) Schneider of Omaha, NE, Clifford (Gail) Schneider of Traverse City, MI, and Donald (Therese) Schneider of Corpus Christi, TX. She is also survived by 29 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren. Along with her husband, Jim, Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents and a daughter, Patricia Slobodnik.
Tributes
"Cathy and Francis, We were thinking about you during Marilyn's visitation and funeral and would have been with you if we could have. We hope that each of you has memories that will console you. We do love you. Judy"
"Dear Slobodnik Family, I was so sorry to read about Marilyn's passing, but will always remember her from our high school days and the wonderful times we had at our class reunions and how much fun Jim was also. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Sincerely, June Crouse, Abraham Lincoln Class of 1953."
"Will always remember all the joy you brought into our lives. We will miss you each and every day!! Rick will miss cooking you Sunday dinner!! I will think of you when I make my chocolate cake!! Love Ya Mom!! Love You Family!! Lisa, Rick and Amanda"
"Our heart felt sympathies go out to Lisa and her family...The thoughts and love to yours will always be here with thoughts of mom also...God Bless all and we are here if you need us."
"Kathy and family, My thoughts and prayers are with you. May God bless you and comfort you through your grief. Memories, family and faith will strenghten you. Sorry I am not there to give ya a hug! Love you Kathy!! Velda Barrett 909-499-2180"
"Gail and I are sorry that we can't be there in person. There are lots of good memories of times spent with Marilyn and Jim. I know that you can take comfort in knowing that she is now at peace."
"God bless Marilyn. She was always a dear sister to her brothers. We enjoyed many hours together and visists to the Slobodnik family. Ida and I will miss her."
"May God bless all of you. I loved taking care of Marilyn. I am going to miss her!"
"My heart and prayers are with all of you.Cathy if there is anything u need please let me know.I am so very sorry about the loss of your Mother.God bless all of you at this time. Love Always. Lennette Carver"
"My love and prayers to all of the dear Slobodnik family, and to Marilyn's dear brothers and their families. May she rest in the peace of God and enjoy God's promise of eternal life. She and Jim raised a lovely family and their faith and example are to be commended. May God bless each of you at this difficult time. Enjoy each other's company and comfort."