Marla Walters Feb. 2, 1943 – July 4, 2021

      Marla Walters, age 78, died Sunday, July 4, 2021 at St. Luke's Hospital, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Funeral services were held 11 a.m. Thursday, July 8, 2021 at Wayne Zion Lutheran Church, rural Monticello with interment in the Wayne Zion Cemetery. Pastor Wade Reddy officiated at the services. The family  greeted friends from 9:30 until 10:45 a.m. Goettsch Funeral Home, Monticello has taken Marla and her family into their care. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made the Wayne Zion Organ Fund, Days For Girls at Wayne Zion or St. Luke's Hospice.

      Surviving is her husband George, three children, Pam (Ernest) Eiben, Robert Strickell, Karen (Jeff) Frankfurt, a step-daughter, Margaret (Kenneth) Sluyk, seven grandchildren, Nathan Eiben, Cody (Triny) Frankfurt , Abby (Preston) Taylor, Dalton Strickell, David Frankfurt, Carter Sluyk, Quentin Sluyk, one great-grandchild Claire and one due in August, four sisters, Rose (Steve) Goyke, Linda Weber, Cynthia (Ron) Weber, Kathy (Max) Hawkins, two brothers-in-law, John (Paula) Walters, Charles (Donna) Walters and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, a son David Strickell and a great-granddaughter, Rylee Fankfurt, her brother Robert Portewig, and brother-in-law, Harlan Weber.

      Marla Jeanne Portewig was born Feb. 2, 1943 at John McDonald Hospital, Monticello, Iowa. She was the daughter of Ernest and Ruth Bennen, Portewig. Marla started school in the Wayne Township schools and graduated from Monticello Community School in 1961. Marla married James Robert Strickell Jr. on Dec. 1, 1961 at Wayne Zion. The couple would later divorce. Marla was employed at Lefebure, Collins Radio, Monticello Circuits, and Hearn Tire. She married George Walters in 1993 at Wayne Zion. The couple lived in Michigan City, Ind., where Marla was active in the Elks Club. She was the first female Exalted Ruler of the Michigan City Elks Club and attended many Miss America Pageants with the Elks.
Marla was active in the Monticello Federated Garden Club after she and George moved back to Monticello. She was a life-long member of Wayne Zion Lutheran Church. She served on the Cemetery Board, taught Sunday School, served on the church council and distributed Home Communion, the Quilting Group and Days for Girls. She was also a Cubs Fan.