Obituary of Marilyn Darlene Holland

Marilyn Harris Holland (91) was called Home to her Lord on Sunday, July 14, 2024. She was born to Verna (Swanson) and Preston Henry Harris at home in North Liberty. She was the second of five children, joining her older brother, Jack Harris. 

Marilyn started Primary grade at age five in a two-room school in “Downtown” North Liberty. She learned to read during her first year in school and always believed it gave her a good foundation for loving school. The family moved to Iowa City when she was eight years old and then she attended Horace Mann School followed by Central Junior High and graduated from City High in the class of 1950.  She was very involved in extracurricular activities in high school and at one point her parents suggested they should maybe pitch a tent outside the school, so she didn't have to go so far to sleep and change clothes.

Following graduation, she attended and graduated from the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics Program in Radiologic Technology. She moved to Des Moines where she worked in a downtown Radiologist’s office and an orthopedic office. During this time, she met her future husband and love of her life, Philip Holland of Collins, Iowa, who was attending Drake University. They were married on January 23. 1955. His company transferred him to Atlantic, Iowa in 1961 where their daughter Janet Holland was born, and Marilyn worked as a radiographer one day a week at Atlantic Memorial Hospital. In 1963, three weeks after their second child, Jay Holland, was born they moved to the Iowa City area where they remained.

Once back in Iowa City, she completed a B.S. degree with post-secondary education emphasis. She directed the Program in Radiologic Technology at Mercy Hospital for 17 years then became the Program Director at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in 1981 until her retirement in 1999. She was very active in her profession, nationally and internationally, having served as Treasurer, Editor, and President of the Iowa Society of Radiologic Technologists, Regional Director, President-elect, President and Past President of the American Society of Radiologic Technologists and President, Board of Directors of The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, the certification arm of her profession. She spoke at international meetings all over the world as well as traveled to and consulted with the Dhahran Medical Center in Saudi Arabia on numerous occasions.  

She was very active in her children’s schools, having served as President of Horace Mann and Shimek PTOs as well as on the ICCSD Superintendent Advisory Committee.  She was also on the City High Alumni Board. Marilyn was a member of St. Andrew Presbyterian Church where she served three terms as an Elder, taught Sunday School, served on many committees and with Phil, organized a fellowship group for seniors in the church. Her civic activities included serving on the homeless Shelter Board when it was on North Gilbert St. and Board of Directors of Ecumenical Towers for over 20 years.

Marilyn belonged to Gray Hawks Senior College Planning Committees, Mortar Board, Octagon Barn #722 Questers, Swedish Club of Iowa City, a memoir writing group and six different bridge clubs over the years in Iowa City.

She is survived by her children, Janet of North Liberty and Jay (Barb) of Indianola, IA; four granddaughters Libby (Joe) Gardner, Laney (Matt) Guintard, Lexxy (Joe) Rhodes, and Lilly Holland (engaged to Logan Barker); four great grandchildren, Jensen and Twyla Gardner and Charlotte and Greyson Rhodes; her brother David Harris (Pat) of Oxford and many nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her husband Philip, her parents, her older brother Jack Harris and sisters-in-law Jean, Nadine and Amy, her brother Paul Harris, wife Amy, and sister Donna Kennel, husband Gene.

A memorial service will be held at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church  at 10:30 am, Saturday, July 27, 2024.    Graveside services to be held the following Saturday, August 3^rd at the Collins Cemetery in Collins, Iowa at 1pm.

In lieu of flowers a donation to the Philip Holland/Kiwanis Pediatric Chaplains Fund at the Center for Advancement (University of Iowa) may be made.