Marilyn Jean (Knop) Card was born in Denver, Colorado on August 21, 1938, passed peacefully in Littleton, Colorado on March 10, 2022 as her daughter sat next to her holding her hand.

She was an only child to Robert and Reta Knop. Although she was an only child, she was very close to her cousin Frances (Cummings) Hayes and the two were more like sisters. As a child she was a Girl Scout and her mother Reta was the Scout Leader. Her family loved the outdoors and dogs which formed the foundation of Marilyn's love of the outdoors, dogs, camping, skiing, fishing, hiking, swimming, bird watching and enjoying nature.

Her parents built, by hand, a Cabin in Evergreen when Marilyn was 10. The Cabin was always the center of many a family gathering and continued to be a place of enjoyment when she married and had her own family. As a teen Marilyn was a lifeguard for the YMCA and an excellent student. She received a full scholarship to Denver University School of Nursing. In 1961 she married the love of her life William (Bill) Card who was a newly hired Denver Policeman. She worked as a Public Health Nurse until the birth of their first child Kristi in 1963. In 1965 their son Brett was born.

As a stay at home mom, she brought much joy to her family's life. She was a Girl Scout Leader, Home Room Mother, enriched her family's lives by sharing her love of dogs, which there have been many, love of the outdoors, adventure, travel and crafts. Her children always felt secure knowing she was at home for them. When her children were in High School she started working for the Federal Archives as an Archivist. She and Bill became very accomplished Square Dancers and danced well into their 80's.

After they retired, they enjoyed traveling in their RV, traveling to several countries, taking cruises, visiting cousins in Delta and of course staying at the Cabin. Sadly, when Marilyn turned 80, she was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia, a cruel and  debilitating disease that ultimately ended her life. Marilyn led a life full of love & she filled not only her family's lives with that love, but also everyone she met. Her family takes comfort in knowing she is whole again and reunited with Bill in Heaven who passed in August, 2021.

Marilyn is survived by children Kristi Card (Myles Keating), Brett Card (Jeffrey Parish), grandsons Mike Keating (Kim Keating) Sean Keating (Christy Keating), great grandchildren Julia & Alec Keating, brother-in-law Ed Keith, niece Tiffany Harris (Travis Harris & their children Meghan, Mason & Reagan) as well as many cousins.

Please join us in celebrating the lives of Bill & Marilyn Card on June 9, 2022, 11am at Saint Philip Lutheran Church, 7531 S Kendall Blvd, Littleton, CO 80128. In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation in Bill & Marilyn's memory to: Broken Shovels Farm Sanctuary , 8640 Dahlia St., Henderson, CO 80640 or Best Friends Animal Sanctuary , 5001 Angel Canyon Road, Kanab, UT 84741.