Marilyn W. Lesh

Marilyn White Lesh of Fort Collins, age 98, passed away peacefully from natural causes on Wednesday, November 12, 2026. She was at home surrounded by her children.
Marilyn was born November 7, 1927 in Omaha, Nebraska to William R. and Vera M. White. She was the oldest of six children; including Martha, Jo, Patricia, Janet, and Bill. They were a close-knit and loving family that worked and played together and always enjoyed each other's company.
Marilyn graduated in 1945 from Benson High School in Omaha where she was active in several school organizations and was a cheerleader. Always an inquisitive and excellent student, she went on to complete her education at Omaha University (now the University of Nebraska-Omaha) earning a B.S. degree in Home Economics. She was a founding member of Zeta Delta Chapter of the Chi Omega sorority, in which she was actively engaged and served as president. Throughout her life, she continued supporting the organization in numerous alumna leadership roles. She founded another Chi Omega at Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska, and served on the alumnae board at the Chi Omega chapter at Colorado State University in Fort Collins.
Following her graduation, she married Richard D. Lesh on June 19, 1949. They moved to Denver, Colorado, where Marilyn worked as a home economist for the Denver Public Service Company. Two years later, they moved to Wayne, Nebraska, where her husband accepted a teaching position at Wayne State College. Marilyn then turned her focus on starting a family and raising her five children, Linda, Kurt, Lisa, Lori, and Kipp. She was active in many community and college organizations, including Faculty Wives, P.E.O., and the Chi Omega alumna group. She encouraged her children in their education and activities.
She was a very accomplished seamstress, sewing most of the clothing for herself and her children. She shared her sewing and cooking skills with her daughters who enjoyed those special times with their mom in the kitchen and at the sewing machine. An excellent and creative cook, Marilyn belonged to a gourmet club that created international-themed dinners. Marilyn was a Girl Scout leader for many years, as well as serving in leadership positions within the greater Girl Scout Council in Nebraska. An excellent bridge player, Marilyn enjoyed the monthly games with her bridge club, often winning the prize for first or second place. She won the game so frequently that her daughters would ask after a game what she won, rather than if she won. She attended St. Paul's Lutheran Church and always managed to get her children dressed up to attend Sunday school. After her four older children left home, she taught Home Economics for several years at the college.
In 1982, the couple moved with their youngest child, Kipp, to Fort Collins, Colorado. Marilyn first worked as receptionist at The Women's Clinic in Fort Collins. Later on, she took a job as an administrative assistant at Colorado State University, where she worked in several departments, including the University Foundation and the president's office. She retired from CSU in 1995. Always an outgoing woman who enjoyed being around others, Marilyn was involved in many groups, including P.E.O., a bridge club, a quilting group, the Monday Afternoon Tea Society, Daughters of the Nile, the Chi Omega Alumna Board, and Colorado State University Women's Association.
Marilyn loved to read and frequently shared her favorite books with her daughters. She also enjoyed putting together jigsaw puzzles with her children and grandchildren. She was an avid Nebraska Cornhusker football fan and never missed watching a game on television. Marilyn loved quilting and made quilts for each of her nine grandchildren. She had a fondness for cardinal birds and hearts, which were a tangible way to express her love for her family and friends.
Marilyn is survived by her sister Martha Austin and brother Bill White, her children Linda Payton (Dan), Lisa Bey (the late David), Lori Willett (Alfred) and Kipp Lesh; daughter-in-law Rosa Mery Lesh; grandchildren Harrison, Emma, Ross and Julia Payton; Kevin Lesh and Jennifer Lesh Wild; Emily Bey Sarraf; Amy Ramspoth and Clayton Willett; and great-grandchildren Lily, George, Vera, Nora, Stella, Blair, Charlotte, Henry, Erik, and another great-grandson on the way. She was preceded in death by her husband, her son Dr. Kurt Lesh and her sisters Jo Stebbins, Patricia DiGiovanni, and Janet Woodward.
Donations in her memory can be made to P.E.O. chapter EX, care of Sharon Siman 2035 7th Street, Unit X1, Windsor, CO 80550; the Chi Omega Foundation at www.give.chiomega.com; or Pathways Hospice Fort Collins.
A Memorial Service will begin at 1:00 p.m., Sunday, November 16, 2025 at Goes Funeral Care, 3665 Canal Drive, Suite E, Fort Collins, CO 80524.