Marilyn Joyce Brusenhan

Marilyn Joyce Brusenhan passed away December 22, 2025 after blessing this world for more than 89 years. Her children, their spouses, and many of her grandchildren held her close as she passed, filled with grief yet grateful to be there and comfort her.

One of three children, Marilyn was born in late 1936 in Spokane Washington to Harold and Velma Hallin. She grew up in the Spokane area, attending school, involved in many activities and often helped out with the chores on her grandparents’ farm. At 15, she worked at a nursing home as an aid, then took a part-time job at a pharmacy. Drawn to the medical field, she enrolled in the nurses training program at Whitworth College and in the Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing, both in Spokane. While attending college, Marilyn met and married James D Nordby (Jim) and soon took a job working for the Sister Superior and Administrator at Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane

Jim and Marilyn had 5 children between 1961 and 1966: James, Jan, Joseph, Jonathan and Mark, born at the same hospitals mom worked and studied nursing. At the time, the family spent much spare time camping, enjoying the beautiful Northwest lakes with friends, and skiing at 49 Degrees North. Other than a brief stay in Tacoma, The family lived in the Spokane area until a move to Colorado Springs, CO. in 1973.

Marilyn worked in the District 11 school system in Colorado Springs, briefly worked in high tech as an administrator at United Technologies, and enjoyed several years working for USA Cycling and Shooting programs at the Olympic Training Center. Still drawn to the medical field, she finished her college degree in Business/Accounting and took a position at Memorial Hospital working as the admin for the CEO of Health and Medical Network. Many of her coworkers became lifelong friends.

It was at Memorial Hospital that Marilyn met and soon married Richard J Brunsenhan (Dick). They traveled extensively and were passionate for all things outdoors: hiking, skiing, biking, and especially golfing. They enjoyed sharing their Denver Bronco season tickets and their condo in Frisco, CO with family and friends.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her son Joseph Nordby, husband Dick Brusenhan, and first husband Jim Nordby. She is survived by her brother Arnie Hallin and sister Joy Charter, four of her children and their spouses, eight grandchildren and their spouses, and 10 great-grandchildren at the time of her passing. Marilyn loved her family dearly, and always remembered them - sending cards and gifts for birthdays, graduations and Christmas. The awesome miracle of life and sheer joy radiated from Marilyn’s face when she was able to hold great-grandchildren in her arms.

Words fail to convey the love Marylin had for her family and friends, and for the love all of us had for her. It will be difficult to get through this - impossible perhaps. Marylin already showed

us how to heal our hearts when she lost her son. She showed us how love, perseverance, grace, family, and time can overcome what seems like insurmountable grief and despair to remember and celebrate those we loved so much and lost. She was truly a gift - a beautiful, loving, smart, talented, fiercely determined and yet refined lady. She had so much heart, and showed us how to live an extraordinary life of adventure, giving, and love. In her words “Love and take good care of each other.”

Marilyn loved flowers, plants, and gardens - but please consider donating to these organizations that she has supported for years:

National Mill Dog Rescue

https://nmdr.org/

5335 J D Johnson Rd

Peyton, CO 80831

Parkinsons Association of the Rockies

https://parkinsonrockies.org/get-involved/donate/

1325 S Colorado Blvd

Suite 204B

Denver, CO 80222

Trails and Open Space Coalition

https://trailsandopenspaces.org/makeadonation-old/

702 E Boulder Street, Suite 200

Colorado Springs, CO 80903