Marilyn Joyce Rapinchuk, a resident of Oakdale for over 50 years, passed away at age 80 in her home on Saturday, January 14th. Marilyn was born on March 25, 1936 in Oak Park, Illinois to proud parents, Wesley and Nora Erickson. She attended Wheaton (West Suburban Hospital) Nursing School in Chicago, Illinois. It was also in Chicago where Marilyn met a young man at a roller skating rink who would one day become her husband. Marilyn and Edward Rapinchuk married in 1957 and they soon welcomed four children into their family. In 1961, the Rapinchuk family moved to California, and would call Oakdale “home” the following year. Marilyn, who had kindled a passion for OR nursing while working in her nursing school’s surgery unit, began working in surgery at Oak Valley Hospital. Her career then took her to Modesto City Hospital where it was not long before this hardworking, young nurse was promoted to Operating Room Supervisor. Later, Modesto City Hospital became a part of Doctor’s Hospital where she became the surgical purchasing agent. When Marilyn retired she had devoted nearly 50 years to surgical nursing. In addition to being a skilled nurse, loving wife, and dedicated mother, Marilyn cared deeply about giving back to her community. Marilyn was a long-time member of the Association of Operating Room Nurses and at one point served as President of her chapter. She was also involved in the Flying Samaritans, a volunteer group of medical professionals and nonprofessionals who ran medical clinics in El Rosario and San Felipe, México. She was an integral member of the Oakdale Women’s Connection, a volunteer at the Oakdale Senior Center, and a lifetime member of the Gideon’s Auxiliary.
Marilyn loved singing, oil painting, drawing, and traveling. During her lifetime, she visited five of the seven continents. Marilyn was naturally curious about the world around her, and she never met a stranger. She is survived by her husband, Edward, four children, Kimberly, Edward II, Steven, and David, and nine grandchildren. Marilyn was greatly loved and will be greatly missed by her family and those who knew her. Marilyn is preceded in death by her parents Wesley and Nora Erickson and her sister Delores Lassen. Marilyn is survived by her husband of almost 60 years, Ed Rapinchuk Sr., daughter Kim Vincent (Al Van Cleave) and sons Ed Rapinchuk Jr. (Kristi), Steve Rapinchuk (Marisa), David Rapinchuk (Meredith) and nine grandchildren: Lauren, Kristin, Heather, Jake, Amanda, Grant, Eric, Taylor and Jenny. Memorial gifts may be made online to Thru the Bible, a ministry of Dr. J Vernon McGee, at www.ttb.org, or Samaritan’s Purse at samaritanspurse.org. A viewing will be held on Thursday, January 26th from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Oakdale Memorial Chapel (830 West F St., Oakdale, 95361). A memorial service will be held at Living Hope Christian Fellowship (7450 River Road, Oakdale, 95361) on Friday, January 27th beginning at 11 am. This will be followed by a graveside service at Burwood Cemetery and then all friends and family are invited to a reception at the Gladys Lemmons Senior Center.
The Oakdale (Calif.) Leader
Jan. 25, 2017