MARIAN WATTS

Marian Watts, 95, of La Grange Park died Sept. 8. She was born Marian Johanna Lyshoj on Sept. 26, 1916, in Teeds Grove, IA, where her father ran a general store and she attended a one-room schoolhouse. She and her late husband Dr. Gil Ehlers moved to the Chicago area in the late 1930s, and she spent most of her adult life in Berwyn and Western Springs. Marian was a homemaker whose true vocations were her faith and her family. She was a long-time member of the Presbyterian Church of Western Springs, taking on many leadership roles as clerk of session and deacon and was involved in many areas of church ministry. She was preceded in death by three husbands, Dr. Gil Ehlers, Milton Worcester and Tom Watts; and three siblings, Glenn Lyshoj, Leona Jackson and Alice Greve. Survivors include three daughters, Gail Johnson (Bob) of Palos Verdes Estates, CA, Gretchen Ruff (Frank) of Bloomfield Hills, MI, and Geri Kay Ehlers of Redding, CA.; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and other extended family. A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, at Plymouth Place, 315 N. La Grange Road, La Grange Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Presbyterian Church of Western Springs, 5250 Wolf Rd., Western Springs, IL 60558.