Marilyn Potter

Marilyn Martha Potter was born August 15, 1938 in Sheldon, IA. She grew up on bountiful farmland and enjoyed gospel hymns at the country church. As a teenager, she transitioned from a one-room country schoolhouse to a large high school in Appleton, MN where she would graduate in 1956.

Not long after graduation, she met and literally fell for James Potter during a fateful roller skate collision at the local roller rink. The two married on January 10, 1957, and they welcomed son Charles in 1958 and son Donald in 1959.

In 1975, Marilyn began escorting motorcoach tours across the United States and Canada. Her enthusiasm and attention to detail allowed her to keep her tours on schedule and her passengers laughing along the way. During her 25 years as a Tour Guide, she enjoyed bringing her family along for the ride and sharing unique parts of the country with them. She always recounted her trips to Alaska and Banff as some of her favorite spots to visit, and she still talked about memorable tour moments in her late days.

Marilyn passed away peacefully on June 8, 2024 with members of her family close by her side. She is survived by sister Luella Strand (Paul), sons Charles Potter (Bonita) and Donald Potter, and granddaughters Lauren Olson (Eric) and Abigail Potter (Benjamin Brueske). She is preceded in death by parents Clarence and Lucy Van Rooyen, brother Harvey Van Rooyen (Joan), and husband James Potter.

A funeral service will be held celebrating Marilyn's life on Saturday, June 22, 2024 at Ranfranz & Vine Funeral Home in Rochester, MN. The visitation will be held at 9:00am and the service at 10:00am, followed by brunch in the Remembrance & Reception Centre. The family has requested donations to Gift of Life Transplant House or Mayo Clinic Hospice.

Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Potter family. To share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com