Marilyn E. Peter

1936 - 2022

Mrs. Marilyn E. Peter, 86, formerly of Rochester, passed away Wednesday, October 19, 2022, at The Laurels of Goshen.

On June 27, 1936 Marilyn was born in Chicago, Ill., the treasured daughter of Minnie E. and Delwin M. Raney. Growing up she shared her childhood with two brothers, Delwin and Marvin Raney.

Marilyn was a 1954 graduate of Bloom Township High School and went on to earn an associate degree in business from Thornton Junior College in 1956. On Feb. 1, 1957 Marilyn and Donald George Peter were united in marriage in Homewood, Ill. Together they shared 50 years of life's adventures and were the proud parents of five beautiful children. The family tree has continued to grow with the added blessings of 16 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Her husband Don transitioned to heaven on May 19, 2007, as did her oldest son Greg on Nov. 12, 2008.

After moving to Rochester in 1970, Marilyn began caring for children in the family home. Over the years, more than 100 children were blessed to walk through her doors, knowing they were in a safe, loving, nurturing environment. "Mrs. Peter," as she was affectionately known by the children she loved and cared for, was recognized as the Fulton County Childcare Provider of the Year in 1995.

Music was an important part of Marilyn's life and she blessed the First Christian Church of Rochester with her talents on the organ and piano for many years. After retiring, Don and Marilyn were missionaries to Brazil, Haiti, India, and Bangledesh. Together they ministered to the local pastors and missionaries who were serving in those countries.

Marilyn will be remembered for her kindness, cheerful and sweet spirit, attention to detail, organizational skills, self-discipline, artistic ability and creativity. Marilyn laid down her life in service to her family and her legacy is the many, many children she cared for over the years.

She was an avid reader, talented baker of all things delicious, and very much enjoyed spending time outside in nature caring for her plants and garden.

Left to cherish Marilyn's memory are her three daughters, Laura and husband Scott Berkey, Donna and husband DelRoy Ortmann, Joellyn and husband Matt Detjen; a son, Daniel and wife Kelli; daughter-in- law Julie and husband Bryan Lewis; 16 grandchildren, Lanae Peter, Aaron Peter, Jessica Tackett, Heather Doberenz and husband Alex, Jennifer Borden and husband Chase, Logan Berkey and wife Krista, Olivia Ortmann, Graham Ortmann and wife Nicole Ortmann, Anna Ortmann, Estelle Detjen, Heidi Detjen, Weston Peter, Luke Peter, Grace Peter, and twins Samuel and Joseph Peter; nine great-granchildren, Adarius Ranstead, Roscoe Hoover, twins Brantley and John Tackett, Elliott Doberenz, Aliyah Doberenz, Nora Borden, Liam Borden and Blake Berkey.

Preceding Marilyn in death are her parents, husband Donald G. Peter, son Gregory A. Peter, great-grandson Jack Borden and her brothers.

A celebration of the life of Marilyn Peter will be at 12 noon Monday, October 24, 2022, in the Good Family Funeral, 1200 W. 18th St., Rochester. Pastor Tim Peter, nephew, will officiate services. Her family will receive friends from 10 a.m. to the time of services.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Marilyn's name to the Greg Peter Memorial Fund, Northern Indiana Community Foundation, 227 East 9th Street, Rochester, IN 46975.

Interment will be in the Rochester IOOF Cemetery. Electronic expressions of sympathy may be made to her family at www.good familyfh.com.

The Celebration of Life services of Mrs. Marilyn Peter will be live-streamed at 12 Noon EST Monday, October, 2022. Log on to Facebook to view the services and search for JD Good.