Marilyn J. Van Meter, 71, of Edmond, OK, died at Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland, CO, on August 3, 2018. Memorial services will be held at St. Luke’s Methodist Church in Edmond on Saturday, October 13, 2018 at 11 am. Interment will be held at a later date. Friends may visit Dignity Memorial's Website to view Marilyn’s tribute wall, and leave memories and condolences for the family. The Cantrell Funeral Home is also assisting Marilyn’s family with the arrangements.
Marilyn Jean Van Meter, the daughter of Robert and Roseen (Bayler) Rapley, was born in Chicago, IL, on April 22, 1947. She was raised in Rock Island, IL, and graduated from high school in 1965. Following high school, she initially attended Arizona State University, but transferred to North East Missouri State (n/k/a Truman State University) in Kirksville, MO, where she obtained a B.S. in Speech-Language Pathology in 1969. She later obtained a M.Ed. in Speech-Language Pathology from The University of Central Oklahoma in 1991. She was married to Glenn Barry Robbins in Stilwell, OK, on May 18, 1968. They were married until 1989 during which time they had three children, she taught Speech-Language Pathology, and worked with Barry in his neurology private practice. From 1991 to 1996, Marilyn served as the Regional Therapy Program Director for TheraTx, in OKC, OK. In 1990, she met Freddie D. Minter and the couple married in 1996. She and Fred moved to Hunt, TX, where they owned a resort, built an Alzheimer’s facility, and owned Crider’s Rodeo. From 1998 to 2002, Marilyn worked as an Inpatient Rehab Therapy Manager at Mercy Hospital OKC. In 2002, she was asked to help develop the Bariatrics Program at Mercy Hospital OKC and again at Foundation Surgery Affiliates in 2005. In 2007, Marilyn and Fred divorced. After many life changes, Marilyn changed her surname to Van Meter which is the oldest name of her Netherlands ancestors. Similar to Jan Joosten Van Meteren, who sailed on ship “Fox” from Holland to the eventual “New World” in 1662, Marilyn demonstrated an affinity for an adventurous life. As a self-proclaimed renaissance woman, she excelled in a variety of pursuits, including a stent selling cars. But her passion was providing speech pathology services to children, and she had a sense of integrity and work ethic that stood out among the best. She was full of life with a very spontaneous spirit that also lead her to travel all over the world to places such as Greece, Spain, Turkey, Germany, China, Egypt, France, and many other countries. Although not immune from life’s trials or tribulations, Marilyn persevered with grace and admiration. Her infectious smile lit up the room and was an inspiring light to friends and family. That same smile was ever so bright the last weeks of Marilyn’s life as she was able to spend time with her first great grandchild, Mackenzie Ingram.
Survivors include her son Trey (Jennifer) Robbins of Edmond, OK; daughters Danielle (Brad) Reader of Kimball, NE, and Megan (Sean) Robinson of Broken Arrow, OK; sisters Elizabeth (Richard) Levaro of Menomonie, WI, and Barbara (Roy) Lakewold of Spokane, WA; grandchildren Tori Ingram, Jake Reader, Alex Reader and Kate Reader, Mason Robbins, Matthew Robbins and Marley Robbins, Dakota Robinson, Emma Robinson and Jade Robinson; great granddaughter Mackenzie Ingram. She was preceded in death by her parents and sister Jan Rapley.
Memorials may be made to the Speech-Language Pathology departments at the schools Marilyn served the last few years of her life. She had a deep admiration for the students and faculty there, and expressly desired more resources to help her students.
Ridgecrest Elementary
137 W Ridgewood Dr.
Midwest City, OK 73110
Pleasant Hill Elementary
4346 NE 36th
Forest Park, OK 73121
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