Marilyn Slingerland Owsley was born March 4, 1928 to Leon Earl and Mary Ethel (Decker) Slingerland. She was the youngest of three children. She and her older brothers, Earl and Carl, enjoyed being raised in the Sargent Community. Marilyn attended Sargent High School and graduated in 1946. She was proud she was able to drive the school bus during her senior year.
In the fall of 1946, Marilyn attended Bethel School of Nursing in Colorado Springs. While there, a good friend of her brother, Carl, visited her. She remembered thinking back to their younger years when she believed Carl's friend was a nuisance! She married that "nuisance," Gail Owsley, on Jan. 25, 1948.
Gail bought land north of Alamosa where he remodeled an old homestead and began ranching. Marilyn quickly evolved into an important supporter of ranch life. She and Gail raised four children: Charles, Barbara, Mark and Sue Ann. She once said that having her children were her happiest days. The family ranch hosted many picnics, hay rides and family reunions.
When the children were all in school, Marilyn and Gail opened a small candy store called Patsys. They sold a variety of delicious chocolates, carmel com, peanut brittle, suckers and snow cones. After the candy store closed, Marilyn and Gail made boxes of the delicious sweets to share with family and friends at Christmas.
Later Marilyn worked for a group of doctors in the Mount Blanca Clinic. She wore many caps assisting where needed and finally became their medical transcriptionist.
Marilyn was the master of creating beauty. She had gardens crowded with flowers of every color and kind that filled the air with fragrance. She carefully pressed those beautiful blossoms and made them into greeting cards. She painted blank porcelain plates filling the space with flowers that bloomed in her mind.
Every year. Marilyn poured her love and creativity into painting or cross-stitching Christmas ornaments for each of her children and their spouses. As the grandchildren arrived, she made ornaments for each one of them.
A good day for Marilyn was a day of playing bridge or pinochle with her friends. She also enjoyed doing jigsaw puzzles and always had a puzzle on her dining room table.
Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and both brothers.
She will be remembered by her children: Charles (Linda) of Del Norte, Barbara (John) of Monte Vista; Mark (Reinie) of Alamosa; Sue Ann (Denny) of Alamosa.
Her grandchildren: Megan (Ricardo); Nicholas (Brittany); Daniel (Richele); David (LaTara); Clintin; Johanna (Brandon); Carlyn; Jessica (Jim), Jacque; Matthew (Krystal); Leah (Michael); Tony (Crystal).
Her 28 great-grandchildren.
Her 3 great-great-grandchildren.
As well as many loving nieces and nephews.
Services will be Monday, Dec. 16 at 10 a.m. at College Heights Baptist Church, 2045 Church Ave., Alamosa. Memorial contributions, in Marilyn's name, may be given to College Heights Baptist Church or the Alzheimer's Association.
Rogers Family Mortuary is in care of the arrangements. To leave online condolences, tributes and words of comfort for Marilyn’s family please visit www.rogersfunerals.com.
