Marilyn Marie Fritsch ’63, age 84, of Centennial, Colo., passed away peacefully on Jan. 10, 2026. Marilyn was born Sept. 25, 1941, in Riverton, Wyo., to Wesley and Helen Jennings. At the time Wesley worked for his Uncle John on his sheep ranch. Marilyn and her family moved often while she was quite young, but she grew up primarily in Cedaredge, Colo. She left the western slope to attend four years of high school at Campion Academy, graduating in 1959. After her academy years she attended Union College in Lincoln Neb., where she majored in home economics and formed many lifelong friendships. Marilyn nurtured those friendships, and many others, over the years, and was always thrilled to hear from friends from the past. She graduated from Union College the same year as her older brother, Raymond ’63, who spent a number of years in the Army during his college years. After graduating she moved to Denver where her parents lived. It was in Denver that she was introduced to Mervin Fritsch. Her dad, Wesley, invited Merv home for dinner after church one Sabbath and that was that, as they say. They were married on October 10, 1964, at Denver South Church, sharing 57 years of devotion, partnership, and adventure. Over her working years Marilyn worked at Portland Hospital, Porter Credit Union and one other credit union, and Barton Brothers Construction, always dealing with financial information and numbers, always keeping the books straight. During their marriage Marilyn and Merv lived in the Denver area on at least two different occasions, Evergreen, Buena Vista, and finally Lincoln, Neb. A beloved wife, sister, and aunt, Marilyn was known for her kindness, easy smile and laugh, generosity, mathematical precision, and faith in Jesus and an eternal life in heaven. She had a deep love for animals and cared for many dogs and neighborhood wild animals over her life. Her appreciation for the outdoors was expressed through countless four wheeling trips, camping adventures, and time spent exploring many parts of Colorado and beyond with family and friends. Some names and places that come to mind when we think of Marilyn include: Games, Tria, one of her beloved dogs. The San Juan Mountain Range, Telluraide, Glenwood Hot Springs. – another favorite place to visit during jeep trips. Ruff-Enough- a CJ5 jeep that we saw go over the side of the hill on the way up to Glacier View Ranch for winter ice racing. Merv’s cherished 1957 Chevy; Friday Night Phone Calls Marilyn is survived by her brother, Raymond ’63; numerous in-laws, including Jan and Marg, and nieces and nephews on the Fritsch, Jennings, and Case sides of the family, and many others who loved her. Merv preceded Marilyn in death in Oct. 2021.