Marilyn Ione (Gillette) Odermann, affectionately known as Mo, was born to Clayton and Helen Gillette…
Alumni Obituary – Marilyn Ruth (Potter) Land
Marilyn Ruth (Potter) Land (CC’57) was born August 4, 1939, in Iowa City, IA, the second child and only daughter of Samuel George and Inez Irene Marcella (Wright-Carson) Potter. She had an older brother, Larry Eugene, and two younger brothers, Richard Samuel and Paul Frederick. The family lived in Clarinda, IA, and Ruth, as she was always known to her family, attended Clarinda schools until 1956 when her family moved to Denver, CO where she attended high school, later graduating from Central Academy (now Central Christian College of Kansas) in McPherson, KS.
Ruth was married to Myron Black in 1963; her son Wesley Myron Black was born in 1964. She married Michael Milliken in 1981, and on April 13, 1991, was married to Jerome L. Land, with whom she had fallen in love as a teenager but had been prevented from marrying. They had a very happy 31 years together before his death in November 2022.
Ruth was employed at several different places in Colorado and California, retiring from Burroughs Corp/Unisys, where she was a purchasing agent, in 2001. She and Jerry moved from California to Moundridge, KS, in 2002.
In her younger years, Ruth enjoyed bowling, and was always politically active. She cheered on the Denver Broncos and the KC Royals and Chiefs. She and Jerry also enjoyed traveling together in later life and gathering with family in the holidays, with the 4th of July holiday being their favorite to host.
Ruth was brought up in the Free Methodist church. She belonged to Cornerstone Bible Church where she was baptized in 2022 at the age of 82.
Marilyn Ruth Land passed into eternity in the early morning hours of February 13, 2023, at Pleasant Hills Home in Hutchinson, KS. She was predeceased by her parents, husband Jerry Land, son Wesley Myron Black, brothers Richard and Paul Potter, sister-in-law Judith Potter, and great nephew Christopher Shepard.
She is survived by her brother Larry Potter, Inman, KS, sister-in-law Dolores Phelps (Bernie Wieland) of Florida, and step-children Linda Hess of Idaho, and Steve Land and Todd Land (Jerry Reinke) of Joplin, MO, step-grandchildren Serena Riley, Skyler Land, and Ryan Land, several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service for Ruth will be held Tuesday, February 21, 2023, 10:00 a.m. at Stockham Family Funeral home, 205 N Chestnut St, McPherson, KS with Pastor Josh Mills officiating. Burial will be at McPherson Cemetery. To view a live stream broadcast of the service, please click on the following link: https://evt.live/memorial-service-for-marilyn-ruth-land
Memorials can be made to Cornerstone Bible Church in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 North Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460.
To send flowers to the family in memory of Marilyn Ruth Land, please visit our flower store.
ABOUT CENTRAL CHRISTIAN COLLEGE OF KANSAS
Central Christian College of Kansas is a regionally accredited institution offering undergraduate and graduate-level programs. Central strives to offer Christ-centered education for the whole person – heart, mind, soul, and strength. Its history dates back to 1884, and it is located in the friendly town of McPherson, Kansas. Central is a strategically small college that offers over forty areas of residential study and a thriving online program for non-traditional students. To learn more about Central go to centralchristian.edu/about. Visit the Foundation of Central Christian College to see what projects and events are coming up.
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