"I will miss you Marilyn, May you Rest In Peace, May god bless you and your family, I love you Marilyn,"
In loving memory of
Marilyn J. Sperry
September 13, 1937 - July 9, 2018
Marilyn Hanson Sperry passed away on July 9th, 2018 at age 80 after a valiant battle with lung cancer. Her last months were spent in home hospice under the loving care of her family and friends. She enjoyed good conversations, sharing memories and laughter throughout this time. Her spirit and energy will forever warm our souls.
Marilyn was born to Evelyn and Cleo Daniels on September 13, 1937. She grew up on a farm southeast of Rochester where she was named an outstanding achiever in 4-H. One of her most vivid 4-H memories was getting upset with Betsy, her project heifer, when she found out Betsy was pregnant and could not be shown.
Marilyn attended elementary school at one-room school District 72, graduating from the eighth grade in 1950. She attended Rochester High School, completing her secondary education by graduating in 1954 at the age of 16. While in high school, she worked as a switchboard operator for Bell Telephone. During the years she was raising her family, she worked at Hunt's Drug, St Mary's Hospital, and then Mayo Clinic, from which she retired after 20 years.
Marilyn married Richard Hanson in 1955 and had four children. Her greatest love was raising them and marveling in their life journeys with their spouses and children. She particularly loved spending time with them at the family cabin on Loveless Lake in northwest Wisconsin, where laughter around the night campfire was inevitable and anticipated. She was a positive influence on all she knew and used her boundless energy to garden, sew, travel, and work on household projects with her family.
In 1996, Marilyn married Don Sperry and they shared many years of mutual love. They traveled together throughout the US, enjoying the companionship of friends and siblings, attending Don's army reunions, and participating in many loved ones' celebrations.
Marilyn is survived by her children and their spouses: Steve Hanson (Sue Hulsether), Viroqua, WI; Dawn (John) Kohner, Eden Prairie, MN; Bruce (Jean) Hanson, Rochester, MN; and Chad (Tricia) Hanson, Rochester, MN; five grandchildren: Allison and Michelle Hanson, Joey Kohner, Cleo and Rachel Hanson; and three siblings: Karon (Joe) Williams, Mansfield, TX; Kathy (Ron) Ostrander, Helena, MT; and Ron Daniels, Princeton, MN. She is also survived by numerous beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and three step-children.
In lieu of flowers, family suggests memorials to Seasons Hospice, Bethel Lutheran Church, or to a charity of the donor's choice. We want to thank the staff at Seasons Hospice as well as Medical and Radiation Oncology for all of their care and compassion during this journey. Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 13, 2018 at Bethel Lutheran Church (810 3rd Avenue SE). Visitation will be held from 4:00-8:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 12, 2018 at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes and one hour prior to the service at the church.
To leave a special memory or condolence please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com 5421 Royal Place NW Rochester, MN 55901 507-289-3600
Tributes
"I am very sorry for your loss,,I love you Marilyn,,"
"I remember so many fun times at Loveless Lake where one always felt loved by Aunt Marilyn. Many memories like us all floating in the lake and discussing a book she just read, BBQ dinner meals shared bye our whole families, talks with her about art and life, playing Yahtzee, water ski parties, showing me how delicious coffee could be...just add a little cream & sugar! And just her laugh could light up a room. She always made me feel welcome and accepted. May you rest now and have fun being our angel. Deb Hanson"
"A wonderful Cousin- Always smiling"
"Marilyn was just not MY sister, but OUR sister. I like to think of her as mine, or my sister, as I am sure Karon and Ron think of her. So I am just posting a tribute to the sister who has passed on to the flip side, from my point of view. Marilyn was 11 when I was born. I had the opportunity to ask her about that. I wondered if she got saddled with my care. She just said she felt protective of me. She did not want any people who were not family to have anything to do with me. She made sure I was safe. That safety net never ended. She was my example for life. She gave me courage to move through some of my life challenges when I was a teenager and later as a young adult. She made sure I had the things I needed when I went off to college. She sewed my wedding dress. Marilyn was ferociously loyal, like our Dad, but there was a line. Once that line was crossed, Dad was unforgiving. I only saw that line once in her life. She eventually erased it with forgiveness. That is Marilyn, loving, accepting and forgiving. That is my example for life. Peace, dear one, sister Kathy "
"Great Memories of Marilyn over the years. All the Fish Fries, The Moe Family Reunion, our Lefse making with Bloody Mary's, Picnics at Whitewater State Park, Our trip to Colorado, etc, etc. The list is endless. She will be missed, but I know she is in good company. Deb and Gary Clark"
"Sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of Marilyn's family. "