Marilyn Lee (Morrison) Vits

Marilyn Vits passed away peacefully on March 15, 2024 after a brief illness.  Marilyn was born on January 6, 1931 in Hutchinson, Minnesota.  She grew up in St. Cloud, Minnesota where she became an avid football fan thanks to her father, who was a football coach. She graduated from Cottey College in 1950 and St. Cloud Teacher’s College in 1952. 

Marilyn married her college sweetheart, Louis, on June 6, 1952 and moved to Manitowoc, Wisconsin where they lived for over thirty years before moving to Arkansas.

Marilyn taught kindergarten and was a substitute teacher for grade school and high school. The primary focus of Marilyn’s life was to be a loving wife to Louis and a mother to her two children. She was a 75-year member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood and most recently a member of Chapter CX in Bella Vista; she helped organize many local chapters during her 75 years as a P.E.O.  Marilyn was also an avid volunteer at Manitowoc’s Memorial Hospital, Benton County Sunshine School, and Peel Museum and Botanical Garden. She was very active in the Presbyterian Church, a long-time member of the choir, loved to play bridge, and travel with her husband Louis.

Marilyn had the gift for gab and enjoyed entertaining her friends with her funny anecdotes, quick wit and “whatever”….

She is survived by her husband Louis; children Laura (Denis) Vogel and Vernon (Yun) Vits; grandchildren Nikole (Dirk) Gessler, Tyler (Kayla) Vits, Michael (Katarina) Tao; great-grandchildren Olivia, Justin, and Addison; her sisters-in-law Bea Morrison and Paddy Wrob; and many nieces and nephews. Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, Vernon and Grace Morrison; her brother Clair; and her brothers-in-law Al, George, and Mark.

The family wishes to thank the amazing people at Hampton Place Healthcare, the staff and volunteers of Circle of Life Hospice, special friend Natasha Devine, and Dr. Harry Lazarte, for the outstanding care they provided to Marilyn.

There will be a Celebration of Life on Monday, April 22 at 10:00 a.m. at Presbyterian Church of Bella Vista, 1880 Forest Hills Blvd, Bella Vista, AR. A private burial in Manitowoc, Wisconsin will be held later. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to P.E.O. Foundation (www.peointernational.org) for the benefit of Cottey College, Presbyterian Church of Bella Vista Arkansas, or Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (Arkansas State Library 900 West Capitol Ave., Suite 100 Little Rock, AK 72201-9709).

Expressions of sympathy can be made to the family by visiting www.lakeshorefamilyfuneralhomes.com

The Lakeshore Family Funeral Homes, Jens location, is assisting the family with arrangements.

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