Marilyn F. (Brooks) Rogers

WATERSMEET, Mich. - Marilyn F. (Brooks) Rogers, 87, of Watersmeet, passed away peacefully in her sleep at her daughter's home on Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016.

Marilyn was born Dec. 3, 1928, in Iron River, daughter of the late Leslie J. and Grace (Lewis) Brooks.

Marilyn played clarinet in the Iron River Marching Band and participated in theater plays in high school. She had a close group of friends, including Marilyn Tromblay, Katy Oberdorfer, Patricia Kelly and Kathryn Cybulski. Her senior yearbook reflected, "Brookie is a popular and active girl, who never takes sides in an argument and thus keeps all her friends."

After graduation in 1946, she and friend Shirley Hendrickson moved to Milwaukee and rented a bedroom at 13th and Burleigh for $3 a week. She worked at Maryland Casualty-Miller Insurance Company as a secretary/stenographer.

She married William "Bill" A. Rogers on July 10, 1948. Marilyn lovingly was married to Bill one month short of an incredible 68 years. He preceded her in death on June 9, 2016.

In 1949, Marilyn, along with her husband, took over Rogers Bar in Watersmeet from Bill's dad. They operated Rogers Bar until retirement in 2002, when their son and daughter-in-law took over. Marilyn tirelessly worked their business for those 53 years and greeted every customer with a smile and was a true icon of the area.

Many folks enjoyed bringing their kids in to see Marilyn to have a pop and tell them of their memories of when they were kids and the joy they had coming to the bar for pop and ice cream. She was the recorder for Royal Neighbors of America insurance group for many years, and was a devout member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Watersmeet.

Marilyn enjoyed doing crossword puzzles, picking raspberries, making bread and feeding her hummingbirds. She simultaneously raised four children, took care of her aging parents, ran the family business and was very devoted to her family. Being diagnosed with stage IV cancer over two years ago, she endured palliative chemotherapy and radiation so that she could be with Bill and her family a little longer. Stopping treatment last October, she bravely tolerated the deterioration of her health.

She is survived by two sons, Michael (Connie) Rogers and Greg (Susan) Rogers, both of Watersmeet; one daughter, Nancy (Nick) Obradovich, of Iron Mountain; one daughter-in-law, Carolyn Rogers, of Grosse Pointe Farms; many grandchildren; great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews; and friends, Elsie Peterson, Eva St. Onge, Patricia Kelleher and Ellen Ripper.

In addition to her parents and husband Bill, Marilyn was preceded in death by a beloved son, John Rogers, in 1988.

Visitation will be held Thursday, Nov. 3, from 10 to 11 a.m., at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Watersmeet. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday, 11 a.m., at the church. Rev. Father George Maki and Msgr. James Kaczmarek will concelebrate. Burial will be in Watersmeet Cemetery, Watersmeet.

After services, a luncheon will be provided in the Immaculate Conception parish hall. From 1 to 4 p.m., a celebration of Marilyn's life will be held at Rogers Bar, 12 miles west of Watersmeet, north on Cisco Lake Road.

The family would like to specifically extend their gratitude to OSF St. Francis Hospice for their comfort and support in her final days.

You may light a candle in remembrance of Marilyn or leave a condolence for her family online at JacobsFuneralHomes.com.

The family has chosen the Jacobs Funeral Home, Iron Mountain, to honor Marilyn's legacy of life.