Marilyn Roorda

Marilyn Roorda, 83, of Prairie City died Sunday, June 10, 2012 in hospice care at Skiff Medical Center in Newton.

A funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 14, at the Prairie City United Methodist Church, with burial following at Waveland Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 13, at Coburn Funeral Home in Prairie City. The family will greet friends from 6 to 8 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 Dec. 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 Nov. 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 longtime active member of her church and of many 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; a daughter, the 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, Va., 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.