Marilyn K. Lund

Marilyn “Rusty” Lund passed away suddenly in her home on January 1, 2021.  She was born Marilyn Kay Wenman to Charles A. and Maude Wenman on May 29, 1947, in Englewood, Colorado.  She spent her childhood in Englewood with her parents and big brother, Donald, who was her protector and best friend. She went to Englewood High School where she pursued acting and dancing being cast in several school productions along-side actor, Ray Baker.  When Ray Baker went on to act on the big screen, Marilyn enjoyed pointing him out in movies and sitcoms to impress her children.  Graduating in 1965, she decided to further her education at Adams State College in Alamosa, Colorado.  At Adams State, she decided to try out for cheerleading.  Always athletic growing up competing on the swim team and becoming a lifeguard, she had never cheered in her life.  With her larger-than-life personality, booming voice and enthusiasm, however, she made the squad.  She later learned how to do handsprings and aerials.  She enjoyed college, but her true passion was to become a flight attendant and when she met the age requirement of 20, she was accepted into steward school graduating in 1967 with United Airlines.  For the next 5 years, Marilyn had the time of her life during the “heyday” of aviation serving five course meals and red-carpet service in first class where she met the likes of Bob Hope, George Burns, Pearl Bailey, Lucille Ball and several rock bands of the day.  She had so many great stories to share.  She was able to purchase her first car, a 1965 Marlin Rambler which she kept and proudly drove until it was retired for a “mom mobile” station wagon in 1980. Her dad rescued and restored it inside and out in 1999, which made it an even bigger treasure to her.

In 1971, Marilyn was transferred back to United Airlines’ Denver hub.  That summer, she was set up on a blind date with an optometry student named Larry Lund.  Larry was a competitive water skier and when Marilyn was introduced to Larry’s water-skiing buddies, it was decided that she looked more like a “Rusty” than a “Marilyn” with her fire red hair.  The name stuck from that day on.  Larry taught Rusty to ski and perform a few tricks. She would be thrown into certain competitions strictly because they needed another woman to have the class and was able to pull off a few trophies along the way.

Rusty and Larry were married on May 28, 1972.  They moved to Colorado in June 1973, after graduation and settled in Salida where Larry started his optometric practice.  Rusty enjoyed being a lifeguard and teaching swimming at the Salida Hot Springs Pool, volunteering at the elementary school, as well as bowling on several leagues.  After the birth of their daughter, Erika, in 1978, the family moved to Howard, Colorado.  Their second daughter, Lindsay, was born in 1980.  Rusty settled into motherhood and small-town life in Howard.

Rusty devoted the next 30 years raising their daughters and a myriad of pets. The entire family was heavily involved in the motorcycle sport, observed trials and the Rocky Mountain Trials Association.  Rusty was passionate about spending time with her family in nature. She loved the trials community and the many friendships she formed there.  She genuinely thought of the trials community as family. 

Always an animal lover and advocate, Rusty liked to volunteer her time with organizations such as Angel View’s horse-riding program.  She stayed active by taking up clogging and traveled with her clogging troupe around the state to perform.  As her daughters became involved in sports at Cotopaxi High School, Rusty’s voice could be heard in any stadium or gym, cheering for the Pirates.  She was adopted as the team mom and she rarely missed any game, away or home and could always be counted on as a carpool driver.

Her next true joy came in 2010 when her grandson, Thomas, was born.  Rusty was not only grandma but his main babysitter during the work week.  The two of them created the closest bond and she fondly called Thomas her “Nugget.”  She was such a hands-on grandma and still very spry.  You could catch the two of them playing football in her backyard or doing anything else her nugget wanted to do, even jumping on trampolines together.  Her famous spaghetti for breakfast was another possible treat if asked for. 

Rusty loved spending time at her daughter Lindsay’s store, Vital Living, using her artistic ability to paint decorative soaps with mica while chatting with her daughter and son-in-law, Mac.  She enjoyed mother-daughter adventures especially traveling to Mexico and Costa Rica and loved seeing live music at Red Rocks.  She was always up for a trip into the unknown with her girls and was forever their biggest cheerleader.  Marilyn “Rusty” Lund was an amazing, strong woman that gave so much love and care and will be greatly missed. 

Marilyn was proceeded in death by her best big brother, Donald, and both of her parents.  She is survived by her husband, Larry; her daughters Erika (Tony) Keady and Lindsay (Mac Rebant) Lund; her golden “nugget” grandson, Thomas Keady; nephew Brad (Colleen) Wenman; niece Merideth (Justin) McLain; sister-in-law Joan Wenman; beloved pets Emma, Jerry, and Miss Kittie as well as many friends and family.  A celebration of her life will take place on Memorial Day Weekend at her and Larry’s home in Howard, Colorado.

Online condolences may be made at www.lewisandglenn.com

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