Marilyn Catherine (Sidla) La Rue

Marilyn Catherine Sidla was born on May 13, 1937, to Beatrice Kriz Sidla and Adolph Sidla in Minneapolis, MN. She entered eternal life on April 9, 2025. Marilyn grew up in Hopkins, MN as the eldest of 54 first cousins. Throughout her education, she attended St. Joseph Grade School, Holy Angels High School, Hopkins High School, and St. Cloud State College. She graduated from the Pastoral Education program at Trinity College in Washington, D.C.

On June 21, 1958, she married Richard La Rue, and together they had four children: Charles, Mary, David, and Julie. Marilyn and Richard embraced a variety of opportunities for growth and lived in many places, including Hopkins, MN; Vermillion, SD (three times); South Bend, IN; Fort Lauderdale, FL; Gaithersburg, MD (twice); Melbourne, Australia; and Colorado Springs, CO (twice).

Marilyn worked in pastoral ministry and adult education at St. Agnes Church in Vermillion, SD, and St. Martin's Church in Gaithersburg, MD. In her role, she visited families who had lost loved ones, attended to their needs, and assisted them in planning funerals. After retiring, she dedicated her time to volunteering at her church and within the community, touching many lives through her efforts.

Marilyn excelled at cultivating, nurturing, and maintaining relationships, many of which lasted a lifetime and were sustained across great distances. She often encountered familiar faces in unexpected places and enjoyed sharing "small world stories" about making new friends or discovering common connections. Valuing inclusivity, she exemplified how to build strong communities. Throughout her life, she worked tirelessly to bring peace and alleviate suffering. One of her final pieces of advice to her family was, "When someone is in trouble, help them."

She found joy in reading historical novels, solving puzzles, listening to music, gardening, and exploring the beauty of nature and art. A woman of deep faith, Marilyn lived with kindness, warmth, and grace. She was a source of comfort and inspiration, and she will be deeply missed by her many friends and family. Her impact was evident throughout her life, particularly in the positive influence she had on the residents and staff at Jackson Creek. Her family will strive to uphold her legacy by nurturing relationships and caring for those in need.

Marilyn is survived by her, children Charles, Mary (Alex Teitelbaum) Lisa Goehring La Rue (daughter-in-law), Julie (Adam Walderman), and grandchildren: Kriz (Alyssa), Jerome (Amy), Justin Iverson (Susan Cook) Alison Drury, Katherine Drury (Ryan Mascolo), Thomas Drury (Damali Lizarazu), Mariah La Rue (Lance Light), Greg Teilelbaum (Bittany Powell), Adam Teitelbaum (Philep Dizon), Abby Evans (Meghan Fitzgerald), David Teitelbaum (Grace Elliot) Aleksei La Rue, Ava, Talia, and Ben Walderman. Great grandchildren: Destinee, Trenton, Shianne and Paxton La Rue, Logan, Payton and Sylas Mills, Brantley La Rue, and Ella Gonzalez, Scout, Wyatt, and Hana Teitelbaum, sister Jeannine Hadley, brother Rollie, and many other friends and relatives.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, husband Richard La Rue, son David La Rue and grandson, Anton La Rue.

The memorial service will be April 26 at 11am at the Benet Hill Monastery, 3190 Benet Ln, Colorado Springs, CO, with interment at the monastery. A reception with lunch will follow served at Jackson Creek Senior Living, Columbine Room, 16601 Jackson Creek Pkwy, Monument, CO 80132

In lieu of flowers, consider donating to the monastery in Marilyn’s memory.

Giving to Benet Hill Monastery: https://form-renderer-app.donorperfect.io/give/benet-hill-monastery/benet-hill-monastery-donation-form