Marilyn E. (Hade) Nash

Mrs. James C. Nash of Geneseo died Monday, March 16, 2015 at Hammond Henry Hospital.  A resident of Geneseo since 1947, Mrs. Nash was an editor and reporter on area newspapers and long was an active worker on the Geneseo, regional and state library boards.

Visitation will be from 4-7 PM on Thursday, March 26, 2015 at Vandemore Funeral Home, Geneseo.  A memorial service will be held 3:00 PM Friday, March 27, 2015 at First Congregational Church, Geneseo, where she was a 64-year member. Private Inurnment will be in Oakwood Cemetery, Geneseo.    Memorials may be made to the Geneseo Public Library District, First Congregational Church, or the Geneseo Park District Foundation.

The former Marilyn Edith Hade was born August 12, 1924 in Fort Madison, IA.  Her parents were Harvey E. Hade, a pioneer Ford dealer, and Mabel Nelson Hade.  Mrs. Nash was a graduate of Fort Madison High School and the University of Iowa.  She was a member of the Alpha Xi Delta sorority and Theta Sigma Phi, journalism fraternity.  She was an editor on the Daily Iowan in 1945-1946.

Marilyn married James Charles Nash on June 14, 1947 in the First Methodist Church, Fort Madison.  Over the years she worked as society editor of the Rock Island Argus, news editor and later feature editor of the Geneseo Republic and as a reporter on the former East Moline Herald.  She started her work on newspapers at the age of 16 on the Fort Madison Evening Democrat.

Marilyn was a broker for Jim Nash & Co., real estate firm.  Mrs. Nash taught Sunday school, sang in the choir, served on the boards of deacons and the board of trustees.  She was president of the Geneseo Music Club, a charter member of the Friends of the Library, a member of Chapter DN of the P.E.O Sisterhood and the Walk and Talk.

Other memberships included the Women’s Golf Organization at the Geneseo Country Club and stints on the Red Cross and the Geneseo Community Chest drives.  She was a member of the Geneseo Historical Association, the North Lee County, Iowa, Historical Association, the Bureau County Historical Society, and the University of Iowa Alumni Association.  She was a member of the Henry County Republican Women and worked as an election judge and voter registrar.

Survivors include two sons and spouses: James and Judi Nash and Robert and Virginia Nash of Geneseo; eight grandchildren: Maj. Drew (Carrie) Nash of Ft. Smith, AR, Molly Nash  (Ryan) Rimington of Oswego, IL, Kelly Nash (Damian) van der Meer of Perth, Australia, Brad (Lisa) Johnson of Gilberts, IL, Brian (Becky) Johnson of Geneva, IL, Dr. Robert R. (Melissa) Nash of Beaverton, OR, Dr. Carilyn Nash (Dr. Mark) Wieland of Rochester, MN, and Charles Nash  (JR Witt) of Milwaukee, WI; twenty great-grandchildren: Adam Nash, Ashley Hampton, Nate Hampton, Jack, Kate, Sam, and Anna Rimington, Madeline van der Meer, Tyler and  Braden Johnson, Caleb and Jacob  Johnson, Owen and Henry Nash, Benjamin and Martin Wieland; great-great-granddaughter Hallie Hampton, and a great-great-grandson to be born in April; nephews and niece: Bill Staples, John Staples, David Carleton, and  Judy Collins; and cousins:  Jack Hade, Drew Smith, and Bob Lowry.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, her husband on December 29, 1992 and her sister, Bonnie Hade Staples.

She encouraged others with handwritten notes and cards.  Her great interests were people, the future for the young, libraries, reading, and politics.

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