Obituary of Marilyn J. Smith

Marilyn Joyce Smith (Scheideman) was born November 27th, 1932, in Denver, Colorado to Roy and Leona Scheideman. She was the oldest and has a younger sister Wilma and brother Jack. Marilyn was born in the height of the depression and her parents did not have much money so they lived in a little home owned by her grandfather in an area of Denver called Globeville that was down by the train yards and was a German community. When she was about 2 her family moved to the north side of Denver then in 1940 her parents brought their one and only house in Wheatridge, Colorado. It is still in the family today. Marilyn went to elementary and high school in Wheatridge and graduated from Wheatridge High School in 1950. She loved school and reading books! She wanted to go to college to either major in business or education, but had to work to afford school. For many years she worked for the telephone company off and on while she went to school. Marilyn decided her love of education was more what she liked and went to Colorado State College, which is now University of Northern Colorado. She got her elementary education teaching lifetime certificate there and became a great teacher! Her first teaching job was in Aurora Colorado where she loved it and learned so much. Marilyn met her husband, Robert Gene Smith, on a blind date set up by her sister Wilma and her husband Bill. She was not feeling well on that date and thought he would never want to see her again, but he called her for another date and the rest is history. They dated and married in December of 1959. After they married, Robert or Bob, taught in Prospect Valley and their first daughter was born. Every summer they would go to Greeley so that Robert could work on his master’s degree. For three summers they would spend their time in Greeley and their second daughter was born there at the time Robert graduated in 1963 with his masters. The next school year they moved to Otis, Colorado, a small farming town, and he became principal, counselor and coached football, basketball and baseball. Marilyn taught third grade while taking care of their 2 young daughters. In 1965 their son was born. In 1966 they moved to Limon where Robert accepted the job of principal of Limon High School. Marilyn stayed home with her children at first but then became a first and third grade teacher in Limon. She loved teaching and all her teacher friends. Robert and Marilyn set down roots in Limon and loved the community and dedicated their teaching talents to the Limon Schools. Together they raised their 3 children Connie, Carol and Russ. Robert learned he had cancer in May of 1990 and passed away September 8th, 1990. Marilyn continued to teach in Limon and retired in 1992. After retirement, Marilyn decided to move closer to her daughter Carol and grandchildren. She decided to move to Pueblo, Colorado. She has 7 grandchildren and wanted to watch them grow up. 4 of her grandchildren lived in Colorado Springs and 3 lived in Pueblo. Those years she enjoyed the basketball games, football games, dance recitals and weddings of her grandchildren! As her health declined she soon could not take care of her home and big yard. Marilyn then moved to a Dependent Living Retirement place in Colorado Springs very close to her daughter Connie and son Russ. This is where she was living when her health declined. She went home to the Lord, on October 14th 2021 after a brief stay in the hospital and hospice. She said she lived a long wonderful life! Marilyn is preceded in death by her husband Robert Gene Smith, her parents Roy and Leona Scheideman, and her brother in-law Bill Knies. She leaves grieving her daughters Connie Sides( husband Tony), Carol Larson ( husband Jeff) and her son Russell Smith. Grandchildren Mindy Smith (husband Kenny) Robby Sides (wife Stephanie) Shonda Sakala ( husband Jerrick) Stacie Sides, Ryan Larson, Kellyn Larson and Tristyn Larson (wife Jordan). Great grandchildren Derek Sides, Christopher Sides, Leannah Smith, Lucas Sides and Landon Smith. Her sister Wilma, her brother Jack and their families. Memorial Service to celebrate her life will be Saturday October 30th at 11:00 at the United Methodist Church in Limon, Colorado