Marian Cecilia Rollins (Malisos) 79, Columbia, IL passed peacefully on Monday, September 18th, 2023. She leaves her husband, Tom Rollins; daughters Wendy Brannaker (Chris), Tammy Kroner (John); grandchildren Jack Brannaker (Miranda), Alan Brannaker, Will Kroner, Grace Kroner, Aly Kroner; brothers James Malisos (Sandy), Norman Malisos (Diane); family and friends.
Marian leaves behind a legacy of love, kindness and a life well lived. She embodied the very essence of a loving, generous and kind spirit. She had a servants heart and was always looking for ways to help lighten the load for others. Her sweet disposition, beautiful smile, and warm embrace touched the lives of countless people.
As a loving wife, she shared 6 decades of marriage with her devoted husband, Tom. Their love story, which began at Mehlville high school, was a testament to their enduring love and unwavering commitment. Together, they created a extraordinary life filled with love, family, vast adventures, and lots of joy and laughter.
She was a wife who loved her husband dearly, supporting him through lifes ups and downs and through lifes many adventures such as motorcycle riding, judo, horseback riding, archery, and travel. She shared her love for travel with Tom, exploring diverse cultures and experiencing the beauty of God’s creation. Through her travels she also forged life long friendships and travel companions.
Her love continued for her daughters, she shared with them her wisdom, her dreams and her boundless love. In leading by example, she inspired them to be nurturing and loving wives and mothers. She encouraged them to build their families and homes on faith, hope and love.
One of Marian’s greatest joys was her grandchildren. She cherished her role as “MaMa” and she loved to relish in their snuggles and kisses. She created countless beautiful memories with them which included hiking, travel, cooking, making gingerbread houses from scratch and playing with her pups.
Marian’s passion for homemaking was evident in every aspect of Windy Bluff. She created a beautiful home and happily welcomed family and friends. She had a unique way of making everyone feel welcome. She enjoyed using her creative flair to decorate for all the holidays and to host parties for friends and family. Her home was a haven of warmth, love and the aroma of her delicious meals filled the air.
Marian had a special place in her heart for serving. She volunteered in different capacities throughout her life including her 9-year service to the World Bird Sanctuary. She was also a “dog person” and took so much joy in raising and training all her dogs; Harley, Sunny, Grizzly, and Holly. She also enjoyed the outdoors, riding horses, and taking care of God’s birds and wildlife.
Her walk through life was marked by a deep devotion to her faith. She found inspiration in building her relationship with the Lord through simple acts of prayer, reading her Bible, and engaging with her beloved devotional, “Jesus Calling.” This connection with the Lord wasn’t confined to a single aspect of her life, it touched every facet.
Marian was a genuinely kind and loving woman who shined the light of Jesus in this world. She leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter and spirit that will continue to inspire all of us.
Services:
Visitation at Kutis Affton Chapel 10151 Gravois Road on Sunday, September 24th from 4pm to 8pm. Funeral service, September 25th at Kutis 10:00am. Interment Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.
An expression of sympathy memorials may go to:
World Bird Sanctuary: https://www.worldbirdsanctuary.org/give/
Monroe County YMCA: https://gwrymca.org/donate
As a way to honor her grandmother, please support Grace Kroner in her philanthropic efforts through Sigma Kappa for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. https://act.alz.org/site/TR/Walk2023/MO-GreaterMissouri?px=18703266&pg=personal&fr_id=16671
I would like to express my sincere condolences at this difficult time. My prayers and thoughts are with all of you.
Aunt Marian, I am so sad that it was time that you had to leave us, but your love and your smile with be in my heart forever. You were a great wife to Uncle Tom, a great mother to Wendy and Tammy and a wonderful grandmother of five. A great mom to your fur babies.
Love You Aunt Marian and will miss you here with us. ❤️ 🌻🌻💕🌻🌻
Rob Rollins
It has been my pleasure to have Marian in my life as a great friend.
She has always been a VERY special person. She will be missed in so many ways. Hope God is holding her in his arms.
I am so sorry for your loss. When I met your Mom I knew she was a special person to be around. I enjoyed her smile & meeting her. I will always remember her. Love you Wendy. Praying for you and your entire family. 🙏❤
Marian was such a special lady. She treated me like one of her own grandchildren, always included me, and made me feel so warmly welcome. I am so grateful to have known her. Now that she is at peace, we can take comfort in knowing that she is in a far better place. Jack and I will miss her dearly, but we know the angels in heaven are rejoicing, now that she is there.
Love, Miranda
Marian and I had so much fun together with so many laughs! We started in the 70’s and will continue on in Heaven for sure. I know that I will miss her so much and think of her a lot. We really enjoyed our scuba days and the yearly trips to the ocean and lots of beautiful islands. Marian and I were known as the bonyo babes. Neither of us remember how that started! 😊 I love her like a sister and cannot wait to see her again! 🥰
Tom and Family,
So sorry to hear of Marian’s passing – it was a pleasure to get to know her and the girls with her stay at CH – Always had a smile on her face and I loved it when the girls took her to see the Barbie Movie – Until we see each other again – with deepest condolences
Bill and Kaye Pretto
Marian was My Girl!! She will be greatly missed and what I will miss more than anything was when she and I would dance to Lionel Richie song ‘All Night Long’ during her Training Sessions and she would sing along with me and smile….😌😊 I’m going to miss My Girl😪 My prayers to my good Friends and Family Tom, Wendy and Tammy….I Love you All!!
Marian was one of the kindest people I have known and she definitely passed down that trait to her daughters. I always looked forward to seeing her at family events. Her warm and kind presence will be missed. I am holding the Rollins family close to my heart.
To Tom and Family,
I was friends with Marion during our last two years of high school. I haven’t seen her since our HS graduation, but it is such a joy to learn through her touching obituary that Marion grew to become even more of the precious young lady she was so many years ago.
The beauty, love and tenderness she expressed then was truly who she was and remained. A very special spirit indeed. God bless you all.
Lylene Shontz Mundy Dolen
I am so sorry for your loss Wendy. Prayers for peace and comfort and deepest condolences to you and your family.
Tom we will miss all the wonderful times we shared together. Marion was one of the sweetest and most caring person we have known. It is these moments we will always cherish and remember. We are so sorry for your loss.
Loved both of you and your kindness and loyalty
So many memories of all you have accomplished
I will treasure always
Lolly Glenn
We would like to offer our condolences to Uncle Tom and cousins Wendy and Tammy and family. Our hearts and prayers go out to you all.
Tim and Marci Malisos
To Tom and Family, my thoughts and prayers are with you.
I treasure all those great memories of our scuba days. Casey and always felt were blessed to have Marian and Tom in our lives. Marian I love and miss you..
I will never forget Marian. When Tom introduced me to Marian ,I knew she would be my friend. Marian and Tom are such wonderful friends, Marian has her special place in heaven, and I wish Tom and her family, my deepest heartfelt sympathy.
Tom, May the LORD give you peace and comfort.
We thank GOD for putting you and Mariam in our pathway through
this life.
Mariam has gone ahead into the next exciting chapter.
Your friends from Hope Church,
Charles and Dorothy Uebelein
To Tom and your daughters:
We’re so sorry to learn of Marian’s passing. We are praying for you.
Jerry Tinkey. Tom my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Marian was one the sweetest, kindness person I’ve ever known.How fortunate you and your family are for having had had her in your lives.
Wendy, we are so sad for your loss and pray for God’s comfort, strength and joy through your tears for you, your dad, your sister and the rest of your family. I’m sorry we never got to meet your lovely mother…… She sounds like a wonderful lady and we hope to meet her LATER! Sending hugs, Gerdine and John Shelton.
Tom and family,
So sorry for the loss of your beloved Marian. Cherish her memory.
Sorry we were unable to be there to support you at this difficult time.
Marian was a loving and caring person with great compassion for people and animals . When our dog, Charge, passed away she offered up land and someone to dig a grave for him. When we brought Charge and placed him in the grave she asked if she could say goodbye . She climbed down and petted and loved on him and said goodbye . That will be the Marian I remember besides being the fun loving motorcycle rider that likes to laugh and have a good time! Tom, Wendy, Tammy, and the rest of the family you are in our prayers🙏🏻Peace be with you and know that you were there in her good times and her bad. Jim and Mary Pohl
Tom and Family,
I only just found out of Marian’s passing and I am truly sorry for your loss. I only had the pleasure of meeting Marian a few times but I will always remember her bright smile and her welcoming hospitality.
I didn’t know much about Marian until reading her obituary. What a beautiful tribute for a person who I’m sure touched many and will be loved and miss by all who knew her. Rest assured she is wrapped tightly in our Lord’s arms and at peace..
Tom, I will keep you and your family in my prayers and thoughts.
Your friend,
Grace Dillinger
To Tom and all of her family,
My deepest feelings of sympathy to all of you….. Marian was the sweetest, kindest, most caring person in every way. I treasure forever our years of horseback riding in Cliff Cave Park and your adjoining farmers field…. Bar and Willie were lucky to have been her horses. I was lucky to be a friend. Big hugs to all of you,
Sincerely, Jo Ann Kargus and Rick Kargus
Tom-I just found out about Marion’s passing from Tom Hofmann today. Though it was expected it never the less must have been a shock when it happened. You and she were very lucky to have had the help of your daughters through this. Please accept deepest condolences from Veronica and I on your loss. We are always here when you want to taslk Tom.
Bob Vitullo
Marian was clearly a one in a million, special woman. I’m so sorry for your loss, Tom. Lisa and I send deep condolences and well wishes for you to attain peace in Marian’s memory.