Marie A. Willhite's Obituary
Marie Agnes Willhite died peacefully at 1:44 p.m., Friday December 27, 2013 at Peoples Retirement Community, Tacoma, Washington at the age of 97. She was a resident at Peoples since September 2011. Marie was born September 17, 1916 on the family farm in Wellfleet, Nebraska. She was the first child born to Mary Greenwoold and Edward Gerken. Her father died unexpectedly when Marie was 10 years old. Being the oldest child it was necessary for her to help her mother raise her five siblings and do family and farm chores. She was an active child who liked to run and was proud that she was faster than most of the boys of her age. Marie graduated from high school in 1934 at North Platte, Nebraska. In 1938 she married George Ivan Cash. Shortly thereafter they, along with Marie’s sister Blanche and Blanches’ husband Howard left Nebraska and headed west to their new lives in Tacoma. Maries first child, Cleo Marie, was born August 8, 1941. Soon the new family moved from their first home in DuPont, Washington to Tacoma. Marie lived in Tacoma until her death. Marie’s second child, Renee Macel was born January 29, 1951. Throughout her life Marie was faced with emotional challenges; the early loss of her father; her daughter Cleo’s struggle with polio; the untimely and tragic deaths of her husband George, daughter Cleo, and daughter Renee. Marie met all these challenges with great strength, courage, and resiliency. On May 5, 1984 she married Elmer Willhite. She often said that her life with Elmer was in many ways was one of the best times in her life. After Elmer’s death in January 1998, Marie lived alone.
Marie is survived by a sister in law, Cleo Gerken; son in law, Gerald Fowler; granddaughter, Tracey Riesen; grandson, Michael Fowler; grandson, Frank Ross; great grandsons, Matthew and Kyle Fowler; step daughter, Constance Orne; step grandchildren, Carla Boyd and Anita Bagley; step great grandson, Nathan Bagley; and countless nieces, nephews and friends. She was a fighter until the end and loved by all who really know her and cared for her. We will miss you, Marie.
Instead of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Marie Willhite to Scoliosis Research Fund, 555 East Wells Street, Suite 1100, Milwaukee, WI 53202. Thank you. Arrangements by Mountain View Funeral Home.
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