of Hartman, AR
June 11, 1932 - February 8, 2024
Marilyn Louise Reicks-Botterbrodt, 91, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 8, 2024 at her home in Hartman, Arkansas in front of her large picture window overlooking the lake, her ''happy place''. She was lovingly surrounded by her husband and family.
Marilyn Louise Stortz was born on June 11, 1932 in Decorah, IA to parents, Alfred and Nellie (Walsh) Stortz. She was the middle child, with an older brother, Charles (Chuck) and a younger brother, Jerry. She grew up in Canoe Township in Northeast Iowa and lived on the family farm.
Marilyn graduated from Decorah High School on June 1, 1950. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa on August 31, 1969 and later, her Masters of Education from Drake University in Des Moines.
Marilyn enjoyed teaching and started her career in a one-room country schoolhouse teaching all grades. This was the same schoolhouse in which she had attended and her mother previously taught at. She taught 5th grade in Alta Vista, Iowa; emotional/behavioral challenged children at the junior high level in West Union and Eldora, Iowa and she taught in Marshalltown, Iowa. In Arkansas, she taught at Pea Ridge and she was a substitute teacher for several years. She taught school for more than 30 years, taking time to care for her young children and later, her aging parents. Her teaching career spanned 60 years. Some of her most rewarding experiences were students who came back to her to thank her for the positive ways she influenced their lives.
Marilyn's children and grandchildren enjoyed many wonderful trips and adventures with her in Iowa, Arkansas, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, Oregon, California and other locations, like Disneyland and Tijuana. She was present and witnessed many of her grandchildren's births and enjoyed being helpful. She was fortunate to have many adventures and memories with her grandchildren while the parents were on travel.
Throughout the years she enjoyed homemaking, cooking, sewing, gardening and raising her children and spending time with her grandchildren. She liked to research health topics and experiment with gluten free and special diet recipes.
Marilyn's life-long interest included reading and writing. She had a vast personal library in her home that spanned topics from philosophy, to religion, to health, to education and relationships. She could tell you what was in every book. She was involved in speaking about education and traveled to many conferences and speaking events. Marilyn wrote two books, the first, ''Deception Not Excellence in Education'' after attending the White House Conference on Families in Washington D.C. in 1980 as a selected delegate. Her second book, ''Forever Faithful'' is a fictitious story based on her memories of World War II and life on the farm in Northeast Iowa.
Marilyn's hobbies including traveling to see friends and relatives and Bible study. She was very active in her church and enjoyed helping with Vacation Bible School and other church activities. She taught Sunday School for many years. She enjoyed reading the Bible and researching religious history and scripture. She enjoyed politics. She enjoyed the friends that she made along the way.
Marilyn is survived by her husband, David Botterbrodt; four children, Gary (Connie) Reicks of Gentry, AR, Joyce Reicks, of Calhan, Colorado, Darel (Tina) Reicks of New Hampton, Iowa, Margie (Kevin) Nienhaus of Lakewood, Colorado; four step-children, Daniel (Rhonda) Botterbrodt of Crete, Nebraska, David Jon (Tracey) Botterbrodt of Collins, Iowa, Deborah (Mike) Belch and Dianna (Joel) Tobey both of Abilene, Texas; ten grandchildren, Chris (Karna) Reicks of Cogan Station, Pennsylvania, Trent Reicks of Van Buren, Arkansas, BJ (Andrea) Tiemessen of Ionia, Iowa, Nick Cooper of Denver, Colorado, Amy (Kalen) Bartoli of Parker, Colorado, Seth Reicks of Las Vegas, Nevada, Erin (Miguel) Castro of Parker, Colorado, Daniel (Katie) Nienhaus of Morrison, Colorado, Mike Nienhaus of Lakewood, Colorado and Angie Nienhaus of Lakewood, Colorado; ten step-grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren, Ella Reicks, Caleb, Elijah Reicks, Kaidance Hall, Ben, Lane, Tate Tiemessen, Celica and Violet Bartoli, Grayson Castro and Zander Nienhaus; five step-great-grandchildren; sister-in laws, Ruth Stortz of Decorah, Iowa, Florence Reicks of Alta Vista, Iowa, Monica Brooks of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Edie Schindelar and Anita Imoehl of Decorah Iowa and Verna (Al) Chacey of Longville, Minnesota and numerous other family members and friends.
Marilyn is preceded in death by her parents, Afred and Nellie Stortz; brother and sister-in-law, Charles and Norma Stortz; brother, Jerry Stortz; Leo Reicks, her former husband and father of her children; Lon Medford, former husband; sister and brother in-laws, Denis and Judy Reicks, Leo and Arlene Bodensteiner, Alvin Shindelar, Merlin Imoehl, Cyril, Loras and Roger Reicks.
A funeral service will be 10 a.m. Friday, February 16, 2024 at Hartman Baptist Church, 208 Main St Hartman, AR 72840 with Pastor Jeff Mize presiding. Visitation will be one hour prior to funeral service. Burial will be 3:00 p.m. on Friday at Friendship Cemetery in Springdale, Arkansas.
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14 Condolence(s)
Joyce Reicks
Friday, March 22, 2024
Here I am, missing you mom!!
Our long talks, our research to keep learning about health and life.
You were unbelievably bright and sharp to the end, when God called for you.
I will try to live with the same excitement and thirst for knowledge, and life, following the lighted path, with the tools that you laid out for me.
Life is not always fair or kind or easy, but it is our drive, spiritualness, kindness and forgiveness that brings joy in this human life and eternal peace in the next.
Mom, I will love you always and forever.
Your daughter, Joyce
Victoria J Lansing
Saturday, March 16, 2024
Family of Marilyn Reicks-Botterbrodt
My deepest sympathy to all of you, as I just learn of her passing.
Will keep her in my prayers.
A 1st cousin on the Stortz side.
Dale Reicks
Tuesday, March 5, 2024
My ympathy to all of Marilyn's family and freinds she will missed by all. Marilyn was great freinds with my my mom. She always enjoyed being with her .We grew up going picnics to area parks in the summer. Great memories. Dale Reicks
Jeanette Kottke
Friday, February 16, 2024
My deepest sympathy to Marilyn’s family for your loss. Marilyn was an amazing lady. I knew her since the 1960’s when she lived in my neighborhood and we were members of the local Boyd Craft Club. Later years when Marilyn was visiting family in Iowa, she stopped in to visit me too. So many special memories over the years also keeping in touch with letters etc. Our visits included talking about education – a subject also dear to my heart and she shared her loved her Lord and Savior. She will be missed. Jeanette
Caroline
Thursday, February 15, 2024
Margie, I’m so sorry to hear of your mom’s passing! I remember some fun times with you & your mom, like the time we went on a little road trip to Colorado to see Joyce! I remember your mom making me laugh so much without even trying! Thinking back on those times still makes me smile! Wish I could be there to give you a big hug! Thinking of you & Darel and the rest of your family!
Margie Nienhaus
Thursday, February 15, 2024
I will miss you so much mom. I remember you always saying I wish we had more time to talk and now I know what you mean, life goes fast. I wish we had more time to talk. I am grateful for all you have done for me and my family. We had a lot of good times and laughs over the years and you have taught me so much. You were there for my kids when they were born and throughout their lives even though you lived far away in another state. We had some great trips together like canoeing and camping for a week on the Current River, exploring the Nat’l Parks in Utah, hiking in Fern Canyon, exploring Oregon coast and ridding jet boats, you were always up for the adventure! We will cherish these memories along with the simpler ones. People tell me they will remember how kind you always were and your smile. I will remember you for your kind ways, unconditional love and deep faith in God.
Debra Bartlett
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
I have fixed her hair for years, have learned a lot from her, will always be grateful for the time we spent talking, about life , and praying together, you will truly be missed.
Angie Nienhaus
Tuesday, February 13, 2024
My grandma was always the kindest person who was very patient with me and my brothers. I loved when she would come visit when I was younger in the summertime. We played lots of games and baked many delicious treats over the years together. I will miss her deeply.
Sally
Monday, February 12, 2024
My dear friend Joyce, thank you so much for sending your mom’s obituary. She was truly an accomplished 20th century woman! My heart goes out to you and your family in this time of loss, but I am encouraged to know your mom loved Jesus and is in paradise right now!
With all Christ’s love,
Sally DeGennaro
Thomas Murphy
Monday, February 12, 2024
Chris and Karna I'm so sorry to read about the passing of your grandmother. She sounded like an amazing lady and someone who I would have enjoyed meeting and chatting too. Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May her souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Val Johnson
Monday, February 12, 2024
I am so sorry for your loss. I wish I could be there.
Ann Smith
Sunday, February 11, 2024
So sorry for your loss
Karen Sinnwell
Sunday, February 11, 2024
A life well lived, we always enjoyed talking to Marilyn. Karen and Randy
Daniel Reicks
Sunday, February 11, 2024
Sorry for your losses all the best to your family