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.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Cox Funeral Home
Rogers & Poplar Streets
Clarksville, AR  72830
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com