Marilyn Marie Thompson (née Retzlaff), 92, of Wisconsin Dells, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 14, 2026.

Marilyn was born August 20, 1933, at home in Lake Delton, Wisconsin, the eldest of three daughters of Harold and Mildred (David) Retzlaff. She graduated from Wisconsin Dells High School in June 1951. On October 10, 1951, she married her high school sweetheart, Thomas Waterman Thompson.

Together, Marilyn and Tom owned and operated three restaurants (Tom's, Tom's West, and The Chuck Wagon) in downtown Wisconsin Dells while raising their three children. Marilyn managed the front of the house, did the bookkeeping, and trained many local young women as waitresses, while Tom ran the kitchen. In 1983, Marilyn and Tom semi-retired to Tucson, Arizona, where they managed apartments and later a senior RV park, while continuing to spend summers in Wisconsin Dells helping family and friends. The Thompsons shared a deep love of travel, skiing in Colorado and Europe, cruising, vacationing in Mexico, and touring the western US in their fifth-wheel RV. Following Tom's death in 2011, Marilyn returned to Wisconsin Dells permanently to be closer to family and friends.

Marilyn was an accomplished golfer who often "schooled" her granddaughters and great-granddaughter in the local ladies' league. She also enjoyed many years of playing bridge with longtime friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Mildred Retzlaff; her husband, Thomas Thompson; her sister, Janet Bloomer (Retzlaff); her grandson, Micah Thompson; her son-in-law, Richard Reinboldt; and her parents-in-law, Iness (Waterman) and Stewart Thompson.

Marilyn is survived by her sister, Anne Storey (Retzlaff) of Lititz, Pennsylvania; her daughter, Kristin Reinboldt of Wisconsin Dells; her sons, Tommy (Michelle) Thompson of White Bear Lake, Minnesota, and Peter (Cay) Thompson of Silverthorne, Colorado; five grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A visitation will be held at Holy Cross Episcopal Church in Wisconsin Dells on Saturday, March 7, 2026, from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m., followed by a memorial service at 11:00 a.m. with Fr. Michael Caldwell officiating. Private burial arrangements will take place at a later date for the immediate family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Holy Cross Episcopal Church.