November 20, 1938 - September 26, 2023
Marilynn Ruth Hoffman Heth passed away at age 84 on Tuesday, September 26, 2023 as the result of several health issues. Marilynn was born in Sterling, Colorado on November 20, 1938.
"Family First" was the rule Marilynn lived by while raising four children and as well as after they were grown. No matter what event might be happening, family activities trumped any other schedule. An example is when Marilynn made sure to be there when our son, Rick, went sky-diving the day before his wedding. Other examples are when she helped Chris earn his Eagle Scout designation in 1976; and then when Connie needed help with a stamp collecting badge in Girl Scouts, she took up stamp collecting with a vengeance, buying most of the special stamps from the post office until we had so many stamps that we could come up with the current stamp value with many combinations.
She made sure that Rhonda's birthday parties were special. Marilynn took Mo's many fishing trips in stride, but made sure she got in plenty of shopping, and time with family and friends while he was gone. Marilynn's bright smile and happy character highlighted many gatherings of her friends, such as her birthday bunch (never-ending celebrations), P.E.O., Presbyterian Church Deacons, drumming with friends, 59 Mariners group at Mtn. View Blvd. Pres. Church, and investment club. Marilynn was active in every community she lived in. In Sterling, she was a saxophone player in the high school band and went with them on major trips, was active in Rainbow Girls and received the Grand Cross of Color for her service to the community. In college at the University of Wyoming, she met Mo at a football game where she admonished him for his negative comments about Colorado when CU was beating Nebraska. Mo and Marilynn were married in Laramie on May 31, 1959 and have enjoyed 64 years together.
Over the years there were many RV trips with friends, family and especially with her brother, Bruce and sister-in-law Jen. Music from the movie,"Paint Your Wagon" and songs by C.W. McCall have been committed to family memories. At the University of Michigan, where Mo attended law school, Marilynn called on her experience of being a waitress in Sterling by waiting on tables in a Moroccan restaurant. Mo enjoyed it when Marilynn came home with her apron bulging with tips. Marilynn enjoyed making friends with another waitress from Ukraine who taught her how to make beautiful and colorful Easter eggs.
In the Loveland community, Marilynn was on the Board of Community Kitchen, McKee Hospital Board, Generations distribution committee, CSU Extension committee, founding member of D.A.R.E. and helped other friends start "Friends of McKee Hospital." She also received the Elks Distinguished Citizenship Award from the local Elks Club. Some of Marilynn's finest times were her travels with Mo as District Governor of Rotary to visit all the Rotary clubs in Wyoming (she once counted 350 pronghorn on the way to Sheridan), Western Nebraska, and helping Mo with his District Conference in Estes Park. Her table decorations are legendary. She accompanied Mo to eight Rotary International Conventions. She also hosted five exchange students that have become extended family.
Marilynn's parents, Al and Ruth Hoffman of Sterling, predeceased her. She is survived by her husband, Morrison, and their four children, Connie, Chris and his wife Kornelia, Rick, and Rhonda, and her brother, Bruce Hoffman and his wife, Geneve, of Greeley and Limon, four grandchildren, seven cousins, and many special friends.
A memorial celebration of Marilynn's life will be held at Mountain View Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, October 25, at 10:30 am with reception to follow. Memorial contributions may be made to Chapter FL, P.E.O. Scholarship Fund, Mountain View Presbyterian Church, or the charity of your choice.
Memorial Service
Wednesday, October 25, 2023
10:30 AM
Mountain View Presbyterian Church
2500 N. Garfield Avenue
Lovealnd, CO 80538
