Lakeville - Raplinger, Marilyn passed away on July 26, Saturday afternoon at the age of 89. Cause of death was respiratory failure as a result of congestive heart failure and COPD. She also suffered from Lewy Body dementia. Marilyn was born in Keswick, Iowa on November 26, 1935. Her mother Mildred VanFleet was a teacher, and her father Charles VanFleet was a mechanic. The family later moved to a farm outside South English Iowa. Marilyn graduated from South English high school in 1953, Iowa State Teachers College in 1955 with an associate's degree in education and later achieved her master's degree in education from the University of Iowa. Marilyn taught fourth grade in Burnsville Minnesota school district for over 30 years starting in 1965. She was a strong feminist. Her political volunteering included many DFL and Democratic candidates, both locally and for federal government. Her husband, John similarly volunteered, and their work resulted in Marilyn and John receiving the DFL Hubert Humphrey award in 2000. Marilyn also received a DFL Woman of Distinction Award in 2012. Marilyn traveled widely including New Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, skiing in the Rockies, and fishing trips to Canada. She also traveled to Europe many times with her husband, John that included England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Denmark, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, as well as Costa Rica and Australia. Summer vacation often included stays at Lake Gogebic in the Upper Peninsula Michigan and Lake Vermilion in Minnesota. She loved to fish those lakes. The BWCA was a treasured vacation spot with friends or her son. At home, she loved to read or spend time in the yard and garden. Marilyn was energetic and frank. She would call a spade of spade. She had deep concerns over the conditions of her fellow human beings and worked to improve those conditions. She had a sense of humor that never faded as she aged. She was appreciative of the care she received at Fountains At Hosanna, Willow's memory care unit, and the staff there. She enjoyed the occasional Red Lobster or Kentucky Fried chicken meals with her son and had the opportunity to have weekly Friday lunches with her husband John thanks to the efforts of Assisted Transport and Right at Home PCA services. Marilyn is survived by her husband of 69 years, John Raplinger and her son Robin Raplinger (Deanne Hart). Marilyn was proceeded in death by her parents, Mildred and Charlie VanFleet, and by her brother George VanFleet. The funeral service will be held on Thursday, August 7 at 1:30 PM at the Washburn - McReavy funeral Chapel, 2300 W. Old Shakopee Rd., Bloomington, MN. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Marilyn's memory to Planned Parenthood or the Arbor Day Foundation would be appreciated. www.Washburn-McReavy.com Werness Brothers 952-884-8145