Obituary of Marilyn Eastwood

Marilyn J. Eastwood passed away on December 9th in Spokane at Sacred Heart Hospital due to severe injuries suffered after a fall in her home. She was born May 14th, 1932, in Kent, Washington, and was the daughter of Bill and Aldena Erickson. Marilyn's only sibling, William Jr. (Bud), was born in 1948. Bud was killed in Viet Nam in 1969 while serving his country as an army communication specialist. He was awarded the Bronze Star for "Heroism in Ground Combat," and also a Purple Heart. Marilyn attended Showalter Elementary School and graduated from Foster High School in 1950. After graduation she was employed as a secretary for the Renton and Foster school districts and the Boeing Co. Marilyn also worked as a chair-side dental assistant for several years. Church was always important to Marilyn. She accepted Christ at a young age and grew up attending Church By The Side Of The Road in South Seattle. In 1959 she married Bill Mayhew whose wife had recently passed away. Marilyn adopted Bill's two small girls, Marsha and Lorri, and helped raise them to be fine young women. The marriage later ended in divorce in 1976. In 1977 she married Harland Eastwood who had recently joined Highline Christian Church where Marilyn was church secretary. Together the couple were proprietors of Queen City Clock Shop in South Seattle. Marilyn did all the bookwork and continued as church secretary. In 1978 Marilyn went to work for N. C. Machinery Co. as office manager. During this time Marilyn continued as bookkeeper for the clock shop and a woodworking business that Harland had started. In 1982 she left N. C. Machinery Co. to work full time for the family businesses. About 1987 Marilyn accepted a position as office manager and secretary at Grace Baptist Church near White Center, where they were members. In 1991 she and Harland bought an old family home in Ritzville, Washington, that had been built by Harland's great grandparents, George and Maria Kanzler. Together the two worked to restore the house, which had stood vacant for nearly 30 years. Marilyn's elderly parents were moved to Ritzville in the fall 1992. Aldena was born near Endicott, Washington, and was so happy to be near her childhood home. Marilyn continued to care for them until their deaths a short time later. After work was completed on the Kanzler house, Harland and Marilyn opened a small antiques and clock repair shop on Main Street in 1996. This business was continued until their partial retirement about 2007, when the clock repair business was moved to their home. Marilyn was proud of her Finnish and Volga German heritage. She was close to her Finnish cousins and enjoyed frequent visits and mini-family reunions for many years. One special event was the annual lutefisk dinners held in Gig Harbor. Marilyn was enjoying retirement at the time of her death. She is survived by her husband of 36 years, Harland; two daughters, Marsha and Lorri; two step daughters, Kara and Kristal; 13 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. A celebration of life will be held Friday December 14, at 2:00 p.m., at the Ritzville Foursquare Church, with reception following. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Union Gospel Mission of Spokane. Condolences may be left at www.danekasfuneralhome.org