Marilyn Ann Kurtzman-West

Marilyn was born on January 28, 1939, in Los Angeles, California to Robert and Mary (Rowan) Rasmussen. Growing up in California, Marilyn graduated from Whittier High School in 1957 then graduated from cosmetology school. She found a passion for making others feel good about themselves by hairdressing in 1958. Marilyn would own her own salon Blaine's in Whitter, and hair dressed until retirement in 2006.

Marilyn married in 1957 and had her son Robert in 1958. She would marry Laurence Kurtzman on September 22, 1962, in Glendale, California, the two were set up by Marilyn’s mother. Together, they would start a family and they shared 35 years of marriage. Marilyn accepted Christ in 1971. Laurence would proceed her in death in 1997. In 2009, she married Robert West, who she met in high school, and he also proceeded her in death in 2010.

Throughout her life, Marilyn would live in Los Angeles, Eagle Rock, Whittier and La Habra, California until she moved to Lyons, Oregon to live with her daughter and son in law in February of 2019. While living with her daughter, Marilyn enjoyed being outside in the sunshine, gardening and feeding the birds, squirrels and chipmunks. She loved her kitty named Ashley and her family dogs.

Marilyn was also a wonderful hostess who meticulously presided over family gatherings. She enjoyed knitting, and interior design but, most of all she loved spending time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren who were truly the greatest joy of her life.

Marilyn passed away at age 82 on September 12, 2021, at her home in Lyons. She will be remembered for being a kind, caring, loving, beautiful and classy woman. She was preceded in death by both of her parents, husbands and a stepson Scott Kurtzman-Ickes.

She is survived by her sister, Claudia (Rick) Bergeron of St. George. UT; son, Robert (Carrol) Kurtzman of Shreveport, LA; daughter, Dana (Mark) Kurtzman Porterfield-Vafiades of Lyons, OR; step daughter, Effie (David) Frankel Step-daughter of Beit El (Jacob’s Rock, Isreal); step son, Robert B. West; step daughter, Judy Allen; daughters-in-law Susan Schramm and Lori Ickes; granddaughter, Dayann (Michael) Porterfield Shepherd; grandson, Dean Porterfield, and great grandchildren Josiah and Evangeline Shepherd as well as 15 step-grandchildren and 6 step great grandchildren and 5 step great-great grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be held Friday October 15, 2021 at 9 am at the Graveside of Robert H. West at Rose Hills Memorial Park Whittier CA and on Saturday October 16.2021 at the Graveside of Laurence Kurtzman 11:00 am at Memory Garden Brea, CA.