Marilee went to join her "Father God" after enduring the heartbreaking loss of her beloved husband Vilis and succumbing to cancer. Throughout her life she was both tough and resilient; these qualities endured to the end.

Marilee was born on Friday, October 17, 1941 in Ely, Nevada.  This was merely a 'pit stop' for our mother, her mother, father and sister as they traveled between Utah and Colorado.   She always believed herself a Colorado native who "arrived on her way home." Marilee had limitless energy and ambition, desiring to master everything that interested her.  As a spirited young woman, she became the student body president of Colorado Springs High School in addition to being an accomplished academic, artist, homecoming queen and a gifted dancer.  She attended Colorado College to study art education and graduated with an art degree from Huntington College in Montgomery, Alabama.  She had a lifelong interest in the arts and music and surrounded herself with talented and creative people.  Marilee found her way to the Methodist Church in Colorado Springs, and to many other fascinating places of worship over her lifetime, including Unity Temple.

Among her many areas of mastery were all the domestic arts, gardening on a grand scale, art (especially oil painting), cooking, and interior decorating.  Arguably her proudest accomplishment was her induction into the million dollar round table for work as a real estate broker.

She and Vilis owned, built and remodeled many beautiful homes, but none touched her soul like their geodesic dome perched above Castle Rock.

Marilee is survived by daughter Lisa Berzins Ruskaup, son Mark Gregory Berzins, Colorado, son Devin Aldis Berzins, South Carolina, second mom to Robert Dale Leonard, sister Holly vonHelms and brother Keith Edquist, Colorado, sisters Susan Randol Clark and Sally Randol Hardy, Alabama, grandchildren Caleb Williams, Clare Berzins Sucre, Aiden James Berzins, Hope Ruskaup, Caroline Berzins Volin, Keaton Ruskaup, Sara and Katelyn Berzins, Patrick Berzins, Emily Ruskaup and Bridget Berzins. Preceded in death by her husband Vilis Berzins, beloved daughter Cara Mia Berzins, parents William Wiley (Randy) Randol, Marjorie Moore Shannon, stepmother Mary Ida Bentley Randol, stepfather Raymond (Ossie) Edquist, and stepfather Mart Shannon.

Marilee will be laid to rest alongside her husband, Vilis Berzins, daughter, Mia Berzins, and adored grandmother, Ethel Harvey Moore at Evergreen Cemetery in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  A memorial service is planned along with an "Iris Garden" dedication in her name.  Those interested should email daughter Lisa Berzins Ruskaup at lisa@habitcarbon.com for details.