Obituary of Marjorie Ilich

In loving memory of Marjorie Jennings Ilich, who passed from this world on January 1st, 2021.

Marjorie was a true friend, a devoted wife, a wonderful mother, an artist, a writer, and so much more. A smile and a laugh that will be missed beyond description.

A graduate of University of Nebraska, she taught grade school for a time and enjoyed a lifelong love of books, Managing book stores and authoring several children’s books of her own. A love of flowers and English gardens kept her hands in the soil for countless springs and summers. Later she took to designing homes and had the fortune to build one for her and her husband, John, a dream she had held for years.

Born And raised in Council Bluffs, Marjorie lived much of her adult life in Grand Rapids, Michigan and later Sedona, Arizona, but spent many childhood summers at Okoboji, and always returned throughout her years. She always considered it to be her true home.

Marjorie was preceded in passing by her father, Dean, her mother, Geraldine, and her husband of 57 years, John, who passed in early 2016. She is survived by her daughter, Susan Ilich-Jones (Bill), her son Mark Ilich (Lynne), her two sisters, Deanna Jennings, of Grand Rapids, MI.; Becky Jennings-Matli, of Fresno, CA.; her brother, Bruce Jennings, of Grand Rapids, MI.; and Bill and Judy Hughes, of Council Bluffs, IA. She loved her family more than anything else in this world.

She will be missed for her wit. For her compassion. Her love of animals. Her intellect. For her boundless energy and curiosity and spark and, again, so much more. An old soul, an eclectic soul that followed its own path, and mostly a kind soul, she will simply be missed- more than we know how to say.

We love you Mom- Always and Forever.

The family will be holding a Celebration of Life sometime in the summer of 2021.