Marilyn Lucille Roorda

Marilyn Roorda, age 83 of Prairie City, died Sunday, June 10, 2012 in hospice care at Skiff Medical Center in Newton. Funeral services will be on Thursday, June 14, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. at the Prairie City United Methodist Church, with burial following at Waveland Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 13, 2012 at Coburn Funeral Home in Prairie City from 2:00 - 8:00 p.m. The family will greet friends from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Memorials may be directed to the Prairie City United Methodist Church, Women at the Well or Heifer International and condolences may be left for the family at www.coburnfuneralhomes.com. A daughter of Samuel P. and Irma Lee (Vander Linden) McFadden, Marilyn was born on December 21, 1928 in Prairie City. After graduating from Iowa State College, she taught home economics in Montezuma, where she met Harlan Roorda, whom she married on November 27, 1954. In 1956 they moved to Prairie City, where she also taught for a time. From about 1979 through 1991, Marilyn was a partner in Ye Olde House, a flower shop in Prairie City. Marilyn was a long-time, active member of her church and o...[more]

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any organizations, including Chapter AJ T.T.T., Chapter AV P.E.O. and the Prairie City Historical Society. She led Sunday School, Cub Scouts, and 4-H groups. She enjoyed many interests, was a great cook and was never happier than when family and friends were gathered for a meal. Those left to honor her memory--following the death of her husband Harlan, just three weeks ago--include a son Richard Roorda of Prairie City, daughter Rev. Lee (Daniel) Schott of Polk City, and three grandsons, Gabriel, William, and Charles. Also surviving are her siblings Helen (the late Tex) Kassen of Georgetown, Texas, Edith (Raymond) Hutchison of Newton, Denise (Keith) Willson of Newton, and Margaret (Leslie) Stokely of Richmond, Virginia, along with dozens of in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Her parents preceded Marilyn in death, along with a sister Jean (Dan) Bartelma of Runnells, and a brother Lawrence (Ruth) McFadden of Prairie City.