Marilyn Roloff

Marilyn Ruth Laughmiller Farthing Roloff, age 85, of Odessa, Texas, died on January 4, 2022, at home with her husband Ron by her side and surrounded by several members of her congregational family.

Visitation will be Sunday evening, January 9, 2022, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home in Odessa, Texas. Funeral services will be at 10:00 AM, Monday, January 10, 2022, at Beit HaDerekh Messianic Jewish Congregation, located at 13370 HWY-191, Midland, Texas, (North of 191 service road between Midland and Odessa). Officiated by Rabbi Benjamin Burton.

Marilyn was born to Marshall and Gladys Carr Laughmiller, in Mount Vernon, Illinois on February 13, 1936. At the age of 12, her mother died, and her father married his childhood sweetheart, Lucille Lankford. Marilyn became blessed with a loving stepmother.

Her only brother Donald, who was in Texas during World War II, told her many tales of Texas and especially of San Antonio. After her divorce, she left Mount Vernon and headed to Texas. “I wasn’t born here but I got here as fast as I could “, was her refrain.

After a few years in San Antonio, she met her new soulmate on a blind date, Ron Roloff, who was in the Air Force. They married and he and Marilyn were soon on their way to a 3-year tour in Germany, which she found intriguing and wonderful.

At the end of the tour, they both decided to pursue degrees in San Angelo, Texas and then master’s degree in Denton, Texas, at North Texas State University. She then became interested in serving the elderly, receiving a masters in “Studies of Aging”. She spent the rest of her working career in organizations such as Area Agency on Aging, Community & Senior Services, Particularly, Meals on Wheels.

She spent many hours serving in various capacities at her spiritual home, Beit HaDerekh. She was loving and loved by many there. Her warm and beautiful smile and generous manners won her many friends throughout her life.

She also had two great passions. One was a passion for dogs and cats. Her latest closest companion was a “Tuxedo” cat named Oreo, who reciprocated Marilyn’s devotion. With no children of her own, she took in many stray four- legged furry canine or felines. Her devotion to felines was such that she was determined to take her cat with her to Germany, which she did. She also managed to find a dog while in Germany to bring back to San Angelo, Texas, along with the cat (both in one cage, no less)

Her Second passion was music. She was gifted with her beautiful singing voice which she used to bless many church choirs.

Marilyn is preceded in death by her parents, Marshall and Gladys Carr Laughmiller; stepmother, Lucille Lankford Laughmiller; nephew, James Robert Laughmiller; niece, Anna Langenberg.

She Is survived by her husband of 53 years, Ron Roloff; nieces, Lila Speidel, Nina (Rob) Dycus and Marshal Laughmiller.

Special thanks to Star Hospice, her devoted friends, Sonia and Jackie Williams, the Beit HaDerekh family, Dr. Fernando Boccalandro and Dr. Adam Farber.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice.