Marilyn J. Sperry

Marilyn Hanson Sperry passed away on July 9th, 2018 at age 80 after a valiant battle with lung cancer. Her last months were spent in home hospice under the loving care of her family and friends. She enjoyed good conversations, sharing memories and laughter throughout this time. Her spirit and energy will forever warm our souls. Marilyn was born to Evelyn and Cleo Daniels on September 13, 1937. She grew up on a farm southeast of Rochester where she was named an outstanding achiever in 4-H. One of her most vivid 4-H memories was getting upset with Betsy, her project heifer, when she found out Betsy was pregnant and could not be shown. Marilyn attended elementary school at one-room school District 72, graduating from the eighth grade in 1950. She attended Rochester High School, completing her secondary education by graduating in 1954 at the age of 16. While in high school, she worked as a switchboard operator for Bell Telephone. During the years she was raising her family, she worked at Hunt's Drug, St Mary's Hospital, and then Mayo Clinic, from which she retired after 20 years. Marilyn married Richard Hanson in 1955 and had four children. Her greatest love was raising them and marveling in their life journeys with their spouses and children. She particularly loved spending time with them at the family cabin on Loveless Lake in northwest Wisconsin, where laughter around the night campfire was inevitable and anticipated. She was a positive influence on all she knew and used her boundless energy to garden, sew, travel, and work on household projects with her family. In 1996, Marilyn married Don Sperry and they shared many years of mutual love. They traveled together throughout the US, enjoying the companionship of friends and siblings, attending Don's army reunions, and participating in many loved ones' celebrations. Marilyn is survived by her children and their spouses: Steve Hanson (Sue Hulsether), Viroqua, WI; Dawn (John) Kohner, Eden Prairie, MN; Bruce (Jean) Hanson, Rochester, MN; and Chad (Tricia) Hanson, Rochester, MN; five grandchildren: Allison and Michelle Hanson, Joey Kohner, Cleo and Rachel Hanson; and three siblings: Karon (Joe) Williams, Mansfield, TX; Kathy (Ron) Ostrander, Helena, MT; and Ron Daniels, Princeton, MN. She is also survived by numerous beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and three step-children. In lieu of flowers, family suggests memorials to Seasons Hospice, Bethel Lutheran Church, or to a charity of the donor's choice. We want to thank the staff at Seasons Hospice as well as Medical and Radiation Oncology for all of their care and compassion during this journey. Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 13, 2018 at Bethel Lutheran Church (810 3rd Avenue SE). Visitation will be held from 4:00-8:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 12, 2018 at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes and one hour prior to the service at the church. To leave a special memory or condolence please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com 5421 Royal Place NW Rochester, MN 55901 507-289-3600