Like one of her favorite songs, Marilyn could only imagine walking by Jesus’ side and being surrounded by His glory. Now she is standing in His presence.

Marilyn (Rabine) Smith, 74, died on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2018, at her home in Rochester, Minnesota, surrounded by her family and a dear friend.

She was born on April 24, 1943. She grew up in Dexter, Minnesota. She graduated from Elkton High School and went on for a nursing diploma at St. Barnabas Nursing School in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She received a bachelor of science in nursing from St. Theresa’s in Winona, Minnesota, and a master in science in counselor education from Winona State University.

Marilyn started her career as a nurse at Spring Valley Hospital in Spring Valley, Minnesota. She later decided to open a ceramic shop with her sister in Stewartville, Minnesota. Marilyn then began a 25-year career with Mayo Clinic as an educator in the Department of Patient Education. She then became a learning and development consultant in the Office of Leadership and Organizational Development at Mayo Clinic. Marilyn may be best known for creating and facilitating Mayo Clinic’s new employee orientation for which she became published.

Marilyn also spent many hours volunteering with several organizations. It was important to her to serve others and give back to her community. Some of her volunteer work included being an EMT with the Grand Meadow ambulance crew, a facilitator with the Critical Incidents Stress Management Team of Southeast Minnesota, a mentor for Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPs) and a volunteer for Gift of Life Transplant House and the Lymphoma Research Foundation.

Marilyn loved spending time with her four grandchildren and was excited about her new great-grandson. She also loved scrapbooking and reading. She and her husband, Gary, liked to travel, being fortunate to have taken many overseas trips including Germany, Austria, and China. They enjoyed taking day trips stopping at flea markets and antique stores along the way. Marilyn also loved her trips up north to Half Moon Trail with family and to Lutsen with the yayas.

Marilyn is survived by her husband, Gary; her two children, Mike (Jill) Smith of Grand Meadow, Minnesota, and Heidi (Michael) Dieter of Rochester; grandsons, Stefan (Kate) Smith of Edina and Killian Smith of Phoenix; great-grandson. Everett Smith; granddaughters, Mikaela and Emily Dieter; and her sister, Lynette (Curt) Utpadel of Sun City West.

Marilyn wanted to thank everyone for their love, encouragement and care. She always felt surrounded and cared for by family, friends, co-workers and neighbors. She wanted to be certain that her friends and family knew how much she loved them and how much they meant in her life. “I always wanted to make sure my family and friends knew how important they were to me. Thank you for loving me and caring about me. I was truly blessed.” She also wanted to thank Dr. Habermann for helping to give her way more time than she thought possible.

A visitation will be held at Christ Community Church from between 4-6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018. Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m.Christ Community Church on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2018, followed by a luncheon at 11:30 a.m.

Memorials may be sent to Mayo Clinic Hospice, Lymphoma Research Foundation, Christ Community Church (please state in memo line “Raising Moms memorial gift”), or a charity of your choice.