Marlys C. Etter

Washta, IA: Marlys (Gayer) Etter, 71, of Washta, Iowa, died at her home on Monday, May 1, 2023, following a lengthy battle with cancer. A funeral service will be held Monday, May 8, at 2:00 PM at Porter Funeral Home of Rock Valley, Iowa. Burial will follow at Valley View Cemetery of Rock Valley. A visitation, with family present, will be held Sunday, May 7, from 2:00-3:30 PM at Porter Funeral Home of Rock Valley.

   Marlys Claire Etter, daughter of Fred “Fritz” and Verna (Tverberg) Gayer, was born November 12, 1951, at Hudson, South Dakota. Her family later moved to Rock Valley, Iowa where she graduated from high school. Marlys went on to attend Northwest Iowa Community College in Sheldon, Iowa. On February 12, 1977, Marlys was united in marriage with Robin Etter at Rock Valley. During their marriage the couple spent time living in Marshalltown, Iowa, Alton, Iowa, Le Mars, Iowa, Bandera, Texas, and Washta, Iowa.

   Off and on for 20 plus years, Marlys spent time in graphic design at K-Products. Marlys had a colorful and helping spirit; she even loved tie-dye. Some may say her lifestyle resembled that of a hippie. Marlys also loved animals, flower gardening, and collecting all kinds of flamingos.

   Marlys is survived by her husband of 46 years, Robin Etter; 4 children, Daniel (Suzie) Etter of Fontana, California, Kim (Jerod) Haaven of Remsen, Iowa, Krista Etter of Sioux City, Iowa, and Josef (Kristeen) Etter of Remsen; 13 grandchildren, Matthew, Jackson, Jackob, Austin, Luci, Katie, Jon, Marley, David, Audrey, Sophia, Dallas, and Veronica; 6 siblings, Janet Renes of Sioux Center, Iowa, Howard (Janice) Gayer of Alton, Les (Helene) Gayer of Orange City, Iowa, Lois (Paul) De Leeuw of Hull, Iowa, June (Marlo) Voetberg of Marcus, Iowa, and Rhonda (Jeff) Haverhals of Harrisburg, South Dakota; and several nieces and nephews.

   Marlys was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Verna Gayer; and 2 sisters, Lorraine Dykstra and Ruth Jansen.