Marilyn Ronnestad

Marilyn Louise (West) Ronnestad passed away peacefully at Schneidmiller (Hospice) House in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho on June 23, 2021.

She was born in Los Angeles on September 3, 1937 to Merle and Kathleen West. Merle, Kay, Marilyn and younger sister Frances moved to Lake Stevens, WA in 1947, and she graduated from Lake Stevens High School in 1955. She learned to play piano while in school and continued to enjoy playing throughout her life.

She married Harold Ronnestad in 1955 and they had 3 children, Cathy, Rich and Mary. Kids’ school, music and sports events, family weekends and vacations in the mountains and beaches (especially Camano Island), and volunteer work filled her days. Marilyn returned to college after her children were mostly launched and obtained her RN degree in 1983. She loved her nursing job in the office of pulmonary surgeons.

In 1993 after remarrying to Gene Tipping, she moved to Rice, Washington where they built a cottage with a view. There, Marilyn discovered her love of the farm life…..she created an enormous fruit, vegetable and flower garden, raised chickens, and enjoyed the neighbor’s horses and goats. She spent many happy hours freezing, canning and cooking from the garden. She also liked sewing and knitting projects and created lovely tablecloths, place settings, and blankets that she gave as thoughtful gifts.

She left “the farm” in 2003 and moved to Post Falls, ID where she got to be nearer and spend lots of time with her children and granddaughter Elie. Here, she also became fond of DIY projects. She was always on the hunt for old tables, mirrors, and anything else that she could sand, paint and give new life to! She continued to carefully tend her garden of berries, tomatoes and flowers, and she especially loved English roses. Marilyn nurtured lifelong friendships the old-fashioned way with phone calls, cards, and many letters. She was caring and generous, a gracious hostess who loved to cook and bake delicious meals for her family and friends.

Her last few years were spent at Orchard Ridge Assisted Living in Coeur d’Alene, and the family would like to thank the staff there and at Schneidmiller House for the wonderful care everyone provided.

Marilyn leaves her 3 children, Cathy (Greg) Gibson, Rich (Shelby) Ronnestad and Mary (Mike Hause) Ronnestad, and her granddaughter Elie Ronnestad. We will miss her dearly. A private family ceremony will be held.