Marilyn Velma Erger

1927 - 2025

Marilyn, born March 30, 1927, in Colombus, Nebraska to Emil Nicholas Blaser and Lorene Ernst, passed away on September 5, 2025, at the age of 98. Marilyn, being the oldest of two siblings, was raised on a family farm in Duncan, Nebraska alongside her sister Faye. During their childhood in Duncan, Marilyn and Faye lived and resided amongst many aunts, uncles and cousins. Those early childhood relationships evolved into lifelong friendships, especially with Marilyn's cousins. Marilyn loved her Nebraska family and reminisced about her childhood up until her last days.

Sometime in 1946 while on military leave, Marilyn's cousin Marvin Engel brought home a friend who was also serving in the U.S Navy and stationed at Honolulu, Hawaii. The friend was a Colorado native that grew up in Henderson, CO area and Jim was introduced to Marilyn at a family gathering. This introduction resulted in a loving courtship between Marilyn Blaser and James (Jim) Erger. Marilyn, a resident of Nebraska at the time, then moved to Denver to be closer to Jim. While living in a boarding house in downtown Denver, Marilyn then worked at one of the local banks until their marriage. Marilyn and Jim were married January 10, 1948, in Colombus, Nebraska and they were married for nearly 50 years prior to Jim's untimely passing in 1997.

After their marriage Marilyn resided in Brighton, raising their six children alongside Jim, who was an active farmer and rancher for many years in the Brighton area. Marilyn, who was a devoted mother and homemaker, enjoyed volunteering at the Adams County Historical Society and was a dedicated 4-H leader for the Stardusters 4-H Club. She also volunteered at the Adams County Fairgrounds during the annual fairs, and she was a lifetime parishioner of St. Augustine Catholic Church and a lifetime member of the Alter and Rosary Society. She enjoyed cleaning the St. Augustine Catholic Church in Brighton for over 40 years. She was also an avid bowler and golfer and enjoyed being a member of the women's golf league at Riverdale Golf Course for many years.

After Jim passed in 1997, Marilyn moved from rural Brighton to a more convenient location centrally located in Brighton where she resided for the past 25 years. While living in Brighton, Marilyn welcomed many of her family and friends from near and far to stay at her home. Marilyn was a very generous hostess and especially enjoyed visits from her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her home served as a gathering place and the headquarters for several "Erger cousin" reunions and several social events.

Marilyn enjoyed traveling on Caribbean cruises, golfing excursions with friends and family, summer vacations to Rhode Island and Florida, New England fall trips and leaf peeping in Colorado. She especially enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren who lived in the Brighton area. Someone was always at Grandma Erger's house visiting.

Marilyn's unwavering faith in God remained strong until her last moments on this earth. Marilyn was known for her generosity, kindness, compassion, lighthearted sense of humor and having a "heart of gold". Marilyn was an avid reader and spent countless hours reading genealogy history about the Blaser's, Ernst's and Erger families.

Marilyn is survived by her children, Sharon Wallace (Scott) of Dolores CO; Gregory Erger (Debra) of Fort Lupton, CO ; Nancy Erger of Brighton, CO; Timothy Erger (Dawn) of Keenesburg, CO. She is also survived by grandchildren, Trek Lucero, Mary Bowman (Joseph), Kyle Riddell (Stephanie), Andrew Riddell (Megan), Georgia Erger (Ben Garrett) and Grace Erger, Bailey Kipp (Scott), Erin Richardson (Adam), and Ben Erger; son-in-law Warren Watts, daughter-in-law Catherine Morrison, several great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews and their extended families. She is preceded in death by both of her parents, her husband James, her sister Faye Aldrich; her daughter; Beverly Weinberger; her son; Thomas Erger along with her grandson, Brandon Weinberger.