February 23, 1949 – October 9, 2025
Marilyn Sue (Zell) Robertson, 76, died peacefully on October 9, 2025 at Maple Crest Memory Care in Fayette, Iowa. After a long decline caused by Alzheimer’s Disease, her memories were restored, and she was welcomed into heaven by her loved ones who went before her.
A Celebration of Life will be held from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM, Friday, October 17, 2025, at Becker & Son Funeral Home in Sumner. Memorials may be made in Marilyn’s name to Maple Crest Manor Memory Care in Fayette.
Marilyn Sue Zell was born on February 23,1949 in Sumner, Iowa to Alfred Zell and Arnetta (Specht) Zell. She attended the Sumner Community Schools and graduated from Sumner High School in 1967. She went on to attend Gates Business College.
Marilyn was a lifelong member of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ until its closing. She served several tenures on the church council, as a youth leader, and on the cemetery board.
Marilyn was united in marriage to Gene Robertson on June 2, 1968. In their 57 years of marriage, the two raised 3 sons and built a beautiful life together. They made their home in Sumner.
Marilyn joined Mary Kay Cosmetics in 1983. She was known as “Mary Kay Marilyn” amongst her community members and her sons’ friends. Marilyn shared her love for that business and its products with hundreds of customers and would later advance as a Senior Director within the company. She earned many awards and recognition for her work and her ability to empower others. Marilyn helped launch the careers of countless women in her time with Mary Kay, fostering confidence in others to help them reach their dreams.
Marilyn’s favorite things to do involved family. She loved spending quiet days with Gene when their lives slowed down but always made time for cooking lessons with her grandkids when they came to her house before school or for a visit; scrambled eggs were her specialty. Gene and Marilyn fulfilled a dream in 1996 when they purchased their family cabin on the water in Harpers Ferry, Iowa. Over the years, additions were made to the cabin as additions were made to their family. Marilyn would spend days on end at their home-away-from-home enjoying the peace and quiet and a good pot of coffee when she wasn’t making meals for any and all who entered her kitchen. While she couldn’t swim a stroke, she enjoyed pontoon rides and could be heard humming along to whatever was on the radio. Marilyn spent many hours on the porches at the cabin, watching the boats pass by in the back and cars drive past out front. She and Gene celebrated many good times and made cherished memories there with their children, grandchildren, friends, and neighbors.
Marilyn is survived by her husband, Gene; her three sons, Kyle (Amy) Robertson of Des Moines; Jason (Taunya) Robertson of Sumner; and Wade (Betsy) Robertson of Denver, Iowa; six grandchildren, Hannah, Tyler, Rain, Riggs, Rowan, and Rafe; two sisters, Lillian Saddler of Glenwood, Iowa and Brenda Milnes of Rochester, Minnesota; and one sister-in-law, Bonnie (Darrell) Niedert of Texas.
Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, Alfred and Arnetta Zell; her mother- and father-in-law, Ray and Ella (Schwan) Robertson; sister, Janice (Zell) Jones; nephew, Kenny Jones Jr.; granddaughter, Reegan Robertson; sisters-in-law, Marlene Steege and Daisy Jones; and brothers-in-law, John Saddler, Daniel Milnes, and Kenny Jones.
beckermilnesrettig.com