Oregon City

May 28, 1937 — Nov. 7, 2024

Marlys Ann Estola passed away on Nov. 7.

Born Marlys Ann Toppila on May 28, 1937, in Lakota, North Dakota, she was the daughter of Otto and Vieno Toppila.

Following her family’s relocation to Warrenton, Marlys attended Warrenton High School, graduating as valediction. Twenty years later, she acquired an associate’s degree in art from Red Rocks Community College in Denver. Marlys began her professional journey as a school secretary.

Her life took a joyful turn when she married David Estola on April 6, 1963, at the United Lutheran Church in Eugene.

Throughout her life, Marlys followed her husband’s career in forestry, living in various locations, including Eugene; Golden, Colorado; Springfield, Virginia; and finally settling in Portland in 1982. In 1991, after Dave’s retirement, they built a home in Gearhart, ultimately settling in Oregon City in April 2020.

Marlys was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She spent many happy years caring for her family. She enjoyed cooking, baking, canning, knitting, crocheting, painting, sewing, quilting and reading.

She was church financial secretary at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Seaside. She sang in church choirs in Portland and Seaside.

She and Dave enjoyed travel, especially three trips to Finland and trips to other European countries. New Zealand and Australia were also favorites.

Surviving is her husband, Dave; two sons, Rodney, and daughter-in-law, Jane, and Scott; two daughters, Kay, and son-in-law, Larry, and Karen; two grandsons, Rod and Larry; three granddaughters, Andrea, Shelby and Jenna; four great-grandsons, Luke and Will, Levi and Theo; and one great-granddaughter, Daphne.

Marlys was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Jim; and two sisters, Marjorie and Mavis.

A celebration of life will be held for Marlys at the Prince of Life Lutheran Church, 13896 Meyers Road in Oregon City at 2 p.m. on Jan. 11.

The family has chosen the Estacada Funeral Chapel in Estacada to honor Marlys and her legacy of life. Online condolences are available at estacadafuneralchapel.com/obituaries.