MARIE ALDER ROLFING

1915 - 2011

Marie Alder Rolfing, 95, of Durango, Colo., died May 9, 2011, at home and in the company of her children.
Marie was born and raised in Wilmette, Ill., and attended New Trier High School, where she met her future husband, Bill Rolfing. While Bill was at Williams College, Marie attended Chevy Chase College in Washington D.C. Bill and Marie married in 1941. Their family, eventually totaling six children, was raised in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Sycamore.
One of the dominant activities in her life was being outdoors and portaging canoes along with the family in the Boundary Waters/Quetico canoe country. Marie was an active member of the Federated Church and the P.E.O. Sisterhood in Sycamore.
Bill and Marie moved to Durango in 1993 and built a house in the Sweetwater Ranch area where they enjoyed many family gatherings. Until her death, she presided over Sunday dinners, and was keenly interested in family activities and world events.
She is survived by children, Linda Barnes, Barbara Rolfing and John Rolfing, all of Durango, Bill Rolfing of Laguna Beach, Calif., and Jane Heimerdinger of Honolulu; twelve grandchildren; and thirteen great-grandchildren also survive to roam the Colorado Plateau and beyond.
Marie was preceded in death by her son, Tom; and her husband, Bill.
Those wishing to acknowledge her life can support the Adaptive Sports Association, 125 E. 32nd St., Durango, CO 81301.
There will be a memorial service in Durango later this summer.