July 3, 1929 - September 13, 2022

Marilyn Leider Rennolds, age 93, from Mountain Home, AR, formerly from Wilmette, IL entered into eternal rest with her loving Savior on Tuesday, September 13, 2022, at her North Carolina residence. Her loving family was by her side.
Born July 3, 1929, in Evanston, IL to Gladys VerHalen and Elmer Francis Leider, Marilyn embraced life with this fun birthdate becoming fiercely independent with a ''firecracker'' personality. The oldest of 5 children, Marilyn was tenacious, hard working and disciplined. As a young girl and teen she worked cleaning jobs so that she could purchase two horses ''Lil Fella'' and ''Penny''. She was a skilled trick rider and kept this activity up until she graduated in 1950 as an RN from St. Francis Hospital School of Nursing.
It was at this time, Marilyn captured the heart of her lifetime love, W. Donald Rennolds. They married October 21, 1951 and raised 7 children in Wilmette IL. Marilyn worked as a surgical nurse & eventually as lead RN with a doctor's practice in Evanston. Her skills in nursing, combined with her compassion for others, allowed Marilyn to serve others throughout her lifetime with her medical knowledge. Perhaps the most poignant role was her care of her beloved Don in his final months of life.
Both Marilyn and Don were avid sailors, cherishing the hobby that brought them and their family great joy. Marilyn also enjoyed her reputation as a Bridge player, competitive tennis enthusiast, and a tenacious board game player, even challenging her children & grandchildren to claim a rare victory against her. As an excellent seamstress, Marilyn fashioned her daughters for school, dances and weddings. Later her granddaughters would benefit from Marilyn's talents as she sewed matching outfits for the girls and their dolls.
Upon retirement to Mountain Home, AR in 1991, Marilyn continued her volunteering at Baxter County Regional hospital, and also volunteered with her blessed church family at St. Peter the Fisherman. She was a culinary genius throughout life and this talent only expanded as she added the cuisine of the Ozarks to her repertoire.
During her last two years of life while living in NC, she enjoyed visits from her grown grandchildren. She loved chatting with them and their spouses and viewing the great grandchildren weekly on FaceTime Calls. During her illness, her Hospice care team tenderly embraced their relationship with Miss Marilyn, and she treasured each visit while sharing stories of her life, her children, grandchildren and friends.
Marilyn's disciplined and deep Faith in Jesus Christ offered her joy and peace every day. This faith gave her strength to endure life's struggles of sorrow, disappointments, broken relationships, and loss of loved ones to death. Her dependence on Christ brought forgiveness as well as reconciliation upon which Marilyn was able to welcome each day with Joy and humility.
Marilyn is survived by her children: Marypat (Perry) Kuzma; William Rennolds; James (Marybeth)Rennolds; Terrence Rennolds; Kimberley (Sean) Hegarty; Maureen (Chuck) Bennett; and Carol (Matthew) Henry, as well as her sister Janet. She is also survived by a host of Grandchildren and great grandchildren-whom she dearly loved and enjoyed. Called Home before her was her Beloved husband Don, her parents and daughter Carol Jean.
A Funeral Mass will be at 11:00am Friday October 21, at St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church with Reverend Father Norbert Rappold, as celebrant. Internment will be at Baxter memorial Gardens in Mountain Home, AR.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Peter's Building Fund.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller Funeral Home
Highway 5 North
Mountain Home, AR  72654
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com