Marilyn Bolton

Born Sept 15, 1930, Marilyn Bolton passed away October 24, 2026, at the age of 96. Born to Beatrice and George Roethke, she grew up in the small town of Hustisford, Wisconsin. She is preceded in death by her husband, the jazz musician, Dick Ruedebusch and her second husband, Sherman Bolton. She is survived by her children: Randall Bix, Stacy Allyn and Richard Hackett Ruedebusch.

Graveside services for Marilyn will be held on Friday, November 6, 2026, at Graceland Cemetery in Mayville, Wisconsin.

While married to Dick, she enjoyed an active social life. Because of his work as a musician, they travelled together to Milwaukee and around the U.S. In her later years, she was very proud to say that she traveled to Europe eight times!

For a small-town girl, Marilyn had a sophisticated style. Beginning with a very elegant satin wedding dress, her sense of fashion would continue throughout her life. Even a few weeks before she died, she put on lipstick and cologne for a manicure and pedicure.

Marilyn liked having fun and donned her “Cheesehead” and dressed in the Packer colors each game day, convinced it would help them win the game –well, not always! She loved having dinner parties and going out to restaurants (where she loved to have a pre-dinner cocktail at the bar).

She loved her cats. Sami and Annie were particular favorites as they were outgoing and loved to meet people when the doorbell rang.

Very popular beginning in grade school, she kept many childhood friendships throughout her life and always remembered them with birthday and Christmas cards. She made many new friends as she moved and traveled across the country and around the world. It was not unusual to hear a busy signal when you called her!

She was a force of nature, and she will be missed by many!