Marion Wilson

Marion Washington Wilson, the third of nine children of John Wesley and Edith (Ridlen) Wilson, was born at his parent's home near Hastings, Iowa on February 22, 1908. He attended rural Benton School and the Henderson Consolidated High School. Marion quit school after the 9th grade to help his father and brother Ben with the farming, which at this time was done with horses. In 1942, Marion joined the US Army and served three years.
Marion and Evelyn Ruth Latchaw were united in marriage on Feb.14, 1946, and established their home on a farm north of Hastings in the Wesley Chapel neighborhood. Their marriage was blessed with a daughter, Beverly Ann, and a son, Robert William. The children were the joy of their lives and both children suffered from cystic fibrosis. Robert died at the age of 12 on March 26, 1961, and Beverly died at the age of 19 on January 30, 1967. Soon after Beverly's death, a cousin's granddaughter moved to Omaha with a serious heart condition. Marion and Evelyn "adopted" Kristen Miller and later her younger sister Nicole as their granddaughters. Kristen and Nicole with their parents Thelma and Dave Miller became very special to Grandma Evelyn and Grandpa Marion.
Marion was a loving husband and father and was always ready to help a friend or neighbor in need. He was a long time member of the Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church where he held several offices and taught Sunday School. He was an avid reader, loved history, and loved to write poetry. Marion and Evelyn enjoyed wintering in Sun City, Arizona and returning to the farm in the spring. Marion was a charter associate member of the Willowbrook United Methodist church, a member of the Rockhounds, and the Bill Lopidary Club in Sun City. One of his enjoyments while in Arizona was growing roses.
Marion and Evelyn moved to Omaha, NE in October of 2000 and had been married for 54 years when Evelyn died on December 19, 2000. Marion continued to live at the Parson's House Assisted Living Center in Omaha where he died on October 18, 2002. He had attained the age of 94 years, 7 months, and 26 days. Marion was preceded in death by his parents, children, and wife; brothers Harold and wife Elsie, Benjamin and wife Delia; sister Lois Yates and husband Floyd, and Elva Nyren and husband Eric; brother-in-law Homer Pedersen and sister-in-law Betty Wilson.
Marion is survived by his brother John Wilson of Hastings; sisters Tacye Pedersen of Red Oak, IA, Elizabeth "Beth" Miller and her husband C. Wayne of Golden, CO, and Nell Wilkinson of Sun City, AZ; cousins Dorothy Micheel of Ainsworth, NE, Kristen, Chris, Abigail, and Emily New of Paoli, PA, Nicole, Chance, and Sophia Irvine, and Dave and Thelma Miller all of Omaha, NE; nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.