Marilyn Ronshausen Holland

October 2, 1935 – June 30, 2026

Marilyn Ronshausen Holland, 90, died peacefully at home Tuesday night, June 30, 2026, with her cats Bess and Penny by her side.

Marilyn was born in Port Arthur, Texas, on October 20, 1935, to Eloise and ‘Sonny’ Ronshausen. She attended K-12 schools in Port Arthur, the University of Texas in Austin, and Port Arthur Business College. She moved to Houston, TX, working for various companies before going to work for Exxon Corporation. She met Warren Holland at Exxon and they were married in 1972. Marilyn left Exxon in 1980, traded commodities for 3 years before becoming a Houston Zoo docent, taking animals to local schools, hospitals and nursing homes.

After Warren retired from Exxon, they moved to Durango, Colorado, in 1987. Marilyn enthusiastically embraced the local community with involvement in the Durango Arts Center, Durango Friends of the Arts, Board of the Durango Choral Society, League of Women Voters, Willowtail Springs Nature Center, Ft. Lewis College Trio Program, Durango Education Foundation, Summit Church, Hillcrest Golf Club and Durango Amateur Radio Club where she served as its first female president. Marilyn and Warren enjoyed many outdoor activities in the Four Corners area and spent as much time as possible hiking, skiing and taking photographs.

Marilyn is proceeded in death by her husband as well as her younger sister, Frances Dittmer. She is survived by family members stepdaughter Aleta Holland Sherman, stepson Glenn Holland, nephew Jason Dittmer and family, niece Alexis Dittmer and family, many grandchildren and her beloved friends. She was loyal, feisty, stylish, fun-loving and will be greatly missed.

Marilyn’s memorial service will be held at Summit Church, 2917 Aspen Dr, Durango, CO 81301, on Friday, September 11, 2026, at 2 pm. Donations may be made in Marilyn’s name to the Wild Animal Sanctuary www.wildanimalsanctuary.org for the funding of her bear Gus.