Marilyn Ione Jacobson (White) Easter

Passed on peacefully at home with her children on October 31st 2021.

Marilyn was born to Jake and Rose Jacobson in Billings Montana July 11th 1934, creating excitement from the very beginning. She was the youngest of 4 kids and the only girl in the family.

Growing up in Hamilton Montana in a home filled with music. Marilyn was told she was “natural” at the piano. She played by ear her and music became a driving force her in life. Music was a driving force in all she did until her passing.

After graduating from high school Marilyn moved to Missoula in 1955 to attend St. Patrick’s School of Nursing. She graduated at the top of her class.

While attending nursing school she met and married Marion White. Marilyn and Marion had 4 Children together, exactly what Marilyn wanted coming from a family of four herself. Her children were her greatest joy and she took pride in being a good mom. She traveled with her family from coast to coast, exposing the kids to history and adventure.

She made sure that her kids experienced the outdoors, camping, fishing as well as dance and of course music lessons.

While raising her children, Marilyn never stopped nursing. She spent 30+ years as a nurse at St. Pat’s and Community Hospital in Missoula. She excelled in all phases of her profession from Maternity Nurse, E.R Supervisor, Inservice Education Director, Nurse Epidemiologist and finally retired as the Director of Nursing at Missoula Community Hospitals.

Some of her favorite memories were of being the lone night nurse in the E.R with a list of physicians to call if she needed them. She always wished she had kept a diary so that in later years she could have written a best seller about her experiences.

She gave back to the nursing profession by organizing Infection Control Seminars, staging disasters drills and even writing her own book in conjunction with creating a poster business to prevent hospital acquired infections that were sold worldwide.

She was an avid gardener and grew everything from flowers to corn on the cob. She canned, pickled and baked and filled the freezer for the family.

Marilyn was always busy, everything from Toastmistress to overcome a childhood stutter to being a Campfire group leader and the list goes on. Being still was not in her DNA.

Marilyn met the love of her life Robert (Bob) Easter in the early eighties. They married a year later and she was lucky to add his kids, Pam, Andrea and Bruce to her family.

After 2 years in Missoula, they decided to embark on a new adventure. Bob sold his business Toole & Easter Insurance and they took off for warmer weather, moving to Meza Arizona golf community Leisure World. Their life was overflowing with golf, travel and friends.

Marilyn went on to build a large travel business, becoming a Travel Group Leader for over 20 years. She traveled the world with large groups and hosted parties in every country they visited.

When she started holding jam sessions in Arizona it quickly blossomed into the formation of her band, The Leisure Notes that was her pride and joy. She became a confident entertainer and played for many crowds of over 500 attendees.

Marilyn’s retirement list of accomplishments included making a great golf shot, including a hole in one, raising wheaten terriers, buying and fixing up houses, playing music or spending time with her family all brought her great delight

and satisfaction.

After adjusting to the loss of her beloved Bob in 2004, in 2006 she was ready to move back to “God’s Country”. Missing Montana, she returned to Missoula with her companion and friend Jim Tauges. She was close to her family and was able to resume digging in the soil and creating beautiful gardens.

She was preceded in death by Jake & Rose Jacobson, brothers Russ Jacobson, Bob Jacobson and Dave Jacobson, husbands Robert Easter, Marion White and companion Jim Tauges, son in law Art Croci and sisters-in-law Jeanne Jacobson, Elizabeth King, Betty Jacobson and Peggy Jacobson and nephew Robbie Thrall.

She is survived by her loving children, Paula Niccum and husband Anthony, Russ White and wife Tracy Zetko-White, Brian and Janet White, Michelle White Ziebarth and Walter Ziebarth, step children Pam Croci, Andrea Easter Pilcher and husband Brian Pilcher and Bruce and Cynthia Easter. Grand children Angel Williams Thompson and husband Matt, Jenae White, Julianne White, Elizabeth Holmes, Peter Croci, Stephen Croci, Emily Pilcher, Clara Easter and Austin Easter and great grandchild Atlas Thompson.

Please join us as we remember the life of an incredible mother, grandmother, wife, sister, hero and friend.

JULY 11th, 2022, 12:00 PM

Ten Spoons Winery

4175 Rattlesnake Drive

Missoula, Montana 59802

Hosted wine bar, non-alcoholic beverages, appetizers and desserts will be served.

Please RSVP to Paula Niccum by emailing paulaniccumsews@hotmail.com or by phone 406.239.9344

In lieu of flowers, Marilyn’s family has established a charitable foundation to benefit nursing students. If you would like to contribute, checks can be made out to:

Renaissance Charitable Foundation

Memo line: Marilyn Easter, 4800 Lerch lane, Missoula MT 59801