Marlys Ann Estola passed away Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024.
Born Marlys Ann Toppila May 28, 1937, in Lakota, North Dakota.
She was the daughter of Otto and Vieno Toppila. Following her family's relocation to Warrenton, Oregon, Marlys attended Warrenton high school graduating as valediction. Twenty years later, she acquired an Associate Degree in Art from Red Rocks Community College in Denver, Colorado. Marlys began her professional journey as a school secretary.
Her life took a joyful turn when she married David Estola on April 6, 1963 at the United Lutheran Church in Eugene, Oregon.
Throughout her life, Marlys followed her husband’s career in forestry, living in various locations including Eugene, Oregon, Golden, Colorado, Springfield, Virginia, and finally settling in Portland, Oregon, in 1982. In 1991, after Dave’s retirement, they built a home in Gearhart, Oregon, ultimately settling in Oregon City, Oregon, in April 2020.
Marlys was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She spent many happy years caring for her family. She enjoyed cooking, baking, canning, knitting, crocheting, painting, sewing, quilting, and reading. She was Church financial Secretary at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Seaside, Oregon. She sang in church choirs in Portland, and Seaside, Oregon. She and Dave enjoyed travel. Especially three trips to Finland and trips to other European countries. New Zealand and Australia were also favorites.
Surviving is her husband Dave; two sons, Rodney and daughter-in-law Jane, and Scott; two daughters, Kay and son-in-law Larry, and Karen; two grandsons, Rod, and Larry; three granddaughters, Andrea, Shelby, and Jenna; four great-grandsons, Luke and Will, Levi and Theo; and one great- granddaughter Daphne. Marlys was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Jim; and two sisters Marjorie, and Mavis.
The family has chosen the Estacada Funeral Chapel in Estacada, Oregon to honor Marlys and her legacy of life. An online condolence visit is available at https://www.estacadafuneralchapel.com/obituaries.
A Celebration of Life will be held for Marlys at the Prince of Life Lutheran Church 13896 Meyers Rd. Oregon City, Oregon Saturday January 11, 2025 at 2 p.m.