Marilyn Riensche

Marilyn Riensche April 3, 1932 - May 21, 2014 Marilyn Ada Riensche, age 82, passed away peacefully May 21, 2014 at Hope West in Grand Junction, Colorado. Marilyn was born on April 3, 1932 in Denver, Colorado. She was adopted by Donald W. and Elizabeth "Betty" Mackay of Raton, New Mexico. Marilyn grew up at various locations within the state including Raton, Portales, Santa Fe, Capitan and Ruidoso. She graduated from Ruidoso High School in 1950 then went on to attend Willamette University in Salem, Oregon. It was there that she met and married Eugene, "Gene" O. Riensche of West Salem. They later divorced. In Alamogordo, Marilyn worked as a secretary for Our Savior Lutheran Church at Holloman AFB where she was a Data Reduction Technician. Marilyn raised four children on her own despite working long hours to support her family. She embodied a strong work ethic which left a lasting impression on her children, all of whom took on part-time jobs during their high school years to help support the family. In 1971, Marilyn and three of her children moved to Hilo, Hawaii. Three years later she moved back to New Mexico, taking a job in Albuquerque for a few years and returned to Hawaii. Marilyn loved Hawaii, its beaches, climate, beauty and people. A few years later she returned to New Mexico, later settling in Grand Junction, Colorado near her son Paul where she went to work at a hotel reservation center. Marilyn is survived by her children: Mark (ChunJa) Riensche of Albuquerque, Paul Riensche of Grand Junction and Alan Riensche of Alexandria, Virginia. She is also survived by six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her parents, her brother, Robert Mackay, her daughter, Dawn Nava, and granddaughter, Amber Nava. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Hope West by visiting https://www.hopewestco.org/ways-to-give; or mail donation to: Hope West, 3090 North 12th St., Unit B, Grand Junction, CO 81506 Arrangements entrusted to Browns Cremation Service. Sign the guest book at www.brownscremationservice.com