Marilyn J. Ringheim

Mankato Mortuary
1001 North Riverfront Drive
Mankato, MN 56001
507-388-2202

Marilyn Jean (Pope, Waldron) Ringheim, CRNA, age 86, passed away on Thursday, March 10, 2016 at Pathstone Living.  She is finally at peace.

Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, March 19, 2016 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. Visitation will be held from 4 – 7 p.m., Friday, March 18, 2016 at Mankato Mortuary and one hour before the service at the church on Saturday.

Marilyn was born in Waterville Township on November 3, 1929, the eldest daughter of Perry and Inez (Schwichtenberg) Pope.

Marilyn was always a high energy person who knew by the age of 3 that she wanted to be a nurse.  Upon finishing her nursing degree, she felt driven to pursue anesthesia.  She moved to Mankato in 1953 beginning her 50-year anesthesia career at Immanuel Hospital, then Immanuel-St. Joseph’s Hospital, then Mayo Clinic Health System.  She also became a licensed hypnotist assisting her in her anesthesia career.  Upon retirement from the hospital at age 72, she worked as a locum traveling anesthetist across the United States finally finishing her career at age 76.  In 1976, she and her husband, Loren, became landlords and then in 1994 began the Ringheim Family Limited Partnership changing from purchasing apartments to building apartments.  They owned Waterville Ice Service for 10 years and the Redwood Motel for 14 years in Mankato.  Marilyn and Loren celebrated 54 years of marriage.

Marilyn was a dedicated supporter of the arts and served on many boards including the Mankato Symphony Orchestra, the Zonta Club, Red Hat Society, the Humane Society, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists, the Hospital Auxiliary, Open Door, Planned Parenthood, and Our Savior’s Lutheran Church among many other organizations.

Marilyn had many skills and talents such as knitting, embroidery, decoupage and sewing, with the latter being her most favorite.  She sewed matching outfits for herself, husband and children displayed on her family Christmas card each year. 

Marilyn was a person who rarely did nothing and was a driving force with a generosity and encouragement known by all who interacted with her.  She was a woman before her time and left this world a better place with her dedication to improving the environment through picking up litter and planting trees.   Her career choices and life accomplishments reflected her strong belief that “above all she should do no harm.”

Marilyn loved traveling the world, including travels with her family to Yellowstone, Alaska, Hawaii, camping at the World’s Fair in Canada, trips to Australia, England, France, Yugoslavia, Mexico and even walked on the Great Wall in China. 

Marilyn had a larger than life personality, lived each day to its fullest, and left family and friends with love in their hearts.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, first husband Franklin Waldron, infant daughter, Minde Sue, second husband, Loren Ringheim,  son-in-law, Dr. David Alderton, grandson, Conner Alderton, brother, Delford Pope, and brother-in-law Loren Roemhildt.

She is survived by her children, Debra (James) Holmseth, Nyla Alderton, Dr. Garth Ringheim (Barbara Fanelli) and Reva (Sean) Baggott.  She is also survived by her 9 grandchildren, Shane Holmseth (Jennifer Taylor), Lafe Holmseth (Rachel Gansen), Cade Holmseth, Tessa Holmseth (Cale Sandstrom), Austin Alderton (Rebecca Benton), Averil and Hannah Ringheim, Devin Baggott (Heather FitzSimmons), and Logan (Sarep) Baggott, three great grandchildren, Kayden & Mila Baggott, Rowen Baggott, sister Jeneane and her husband, Howard Synder, and sister-in-law Phyllis Pope, and many nieces and nephews.  Marilyn was grateful for her 86 years and so much more.

In lieu of flowers, it would be Marilyn’s wish that donations be made in her name to the charity of your choice.