Obituary of Marilyn Louise Rauschkolb

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Marilyn Louise Rauschkolb, beloved wife of over fifty years, mother, grandmother, and friend. Marilyn passed away on June 24, 2022 at Memorial Central after a short but hard-fought battle with an illness. Our daughter, Kristen Herde of Dusseldorf, Germany, was by her side. Marilyn was born and raised in Elk Grove, California. She is preceded in death by her loving parents, Chilton Wasson and Laura (Backer) Wasson. She excelled at Elk Grove High School, where she finished third in her class. She went on to earn a lifetime teaching degree at Sacramento State University and was a member of the Delta Gamma Sorority. In 1970, she met 2d Lt Richard S. Rauschkolb who was going through Navigator Training at Mather Air Force Base in Sacramento, California. Their romance blossomed, and they were married on October 30, 1971. During the next twenty-two years, they moved fourteen times. Some assignments were better than others - Charleston, Monterey, Hawaii and the Air Force Academy were the highlights. Marilyn was always the rock during Richard's twenty-seven years in the Air Force. She superbly filled the many tasks of being an Air Force wife and also taught in public and private elementary schools, and worked in civil service at many places.In 1976, they were blessed with the birth of their daughter, Kristen. She became Marilyn's greatest love and the focus of all her attention. Despite attending three high schools, Kristen was the Alabama Student of the Year. At Rhodes College, she earned a Fulbright Scholarship and was selected to the college's Hall of Fame. She went to Germany to study, and married Andreas Herde. They currently have their own very successful company in Dusseldorf, Germany, and are the parents of Colton Herde (8). Marilyn absolutely adored her grandson and always looked forward to doing Facetime with him during the COVID crisis the last few years. She was so looking forward to seeing him this month.Beautiful inside and out, Marilyn was a great person in so many ways. She was an amazing cook and enjoyed a glass of good white wine, but her favorite hobby was shopping. Friends would seldom see her in the same outfit twice and she always had matching jewelry and a purse. But it was her radiant personality that made her so popular. She had a gift of making people feel good about themselves, and her gentle and sincere nature touched many lives. She would strike up a conversation with a complete stranger, and the next thing you knew, the person was telling Marilyn their life story. She was always ready with a compliment and gesture of kindness. She had a remarkable ability to light up a room with her beautiful eyes and wonderful smile, and she will be deeply missed by family, friends and the employees at the many Colorado Springs retail and dining establishments she frequented. Marilyn survived breast cancer and several other serious illnesses over the last thirteen years. She was active in breast cancer and survivor programs.The family sincerely thanks all who have shared in our grief and sent condolences as well as the wonderful staff who cared for Marilyn (and us) at Memorial Central. Memorial Service, 10:00AM, Tuesday, July 26, 2022, Air Force Academy Community Center Chapel, 10 ABW/HC, 5134 Cathedral Drive, Suite 100, USAF Academy, Colorado 80840. Details can be found at https://memorial_services_marilyn_rauschkolb.eventbrite.com. We ask all attendees to please RSVP by July 19, 2022 using this link. The Air Force Academy was a big part of Marilyn's life, and memorial donations in lieu of flowers may be addressed to the Air Force Academy Foundation, Class of 1970 Gift Fund, 3116 Academy Drive, USAF Academy, CO 80840. They can also be made online at�www.usafa.org/give. Use the pull-down menu under "View all Giving Opportunities" to choose the "Class of '70 Heritage Endowment" below the "Class Giving Fund" headline. Events Memorial Service Tuesday, July 26, 2022 10:00AM United States Air Force Academy Community Center Chapel 5134 Cathedral Drive, Suite 100 United States Air Force Academy, CO 80840 Phone: 719-328-1793