Marilyn (Aldrich) Richard
Marilyn Adelaide (Aldrich) Richard of La Saucelle, France died July 11, 2025. She was 88 years old. Memorial services were held in France at the Dreux Funeral Home. She was buried in the family grave next to her husband at Saint Anne Church cemetery.
Marilyn Adelaide Aldrich was born April 9, 1937 to Alvin and Adelaide (Lea) Aldrich. She grew up on the family farm near Churchtown. Marilyn was active in church, playing both the piano and organ. She graduated from Waukon Senior High in 1955 as class valedictorian.
Following high school, Marilyn graduated from Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL. She worked the summers in Washington, DC at the USDA. Following graduation, she taught in Lake City, MN for two years. Then she followed her adventurous spirit to Europe - where she continued to teach American dependents at military bases in several countries. Marilyn taught in Druex, France on the American Air Force Base. There, she met Charles Rene’ Alain Richard, a handsome French man, and they were married June 14, 1966. They were blessed with three children, Astrid, Renee’ and Charles Jr. (Carlito).
Marilyn and Charles enjoyed traveling extensively and experiencing different cultures. They traveled to many countries in Europe, South America, the Middle East, Mongolia and many more - and throughout the United States. Marilyn continued her musical talents, serving in places of worship in Germany and France.
After retirement, Marilyn helped raise three grandchildren at the Richard family home, La Geti in La Saucelle, France. Marilyn’s knowledge and talents were greatly appreciated by all those who knew her. She helped plan travels with her siblings that led them to many sibling trips in the U.S. and also overseas including Israel, Turkey, Italy, Greece, China, Estonia, Poland, Lithuania, Thailand, Laos, Norway, Sweden and Cuba. Marilyn even planned a train excursion to Berlin and through Checkpoint Charlie into (then) Communist East Berlin.
Marilyn is survived by her three children: Astrid (Andy) Cook of Prince of Wales Island, AK, Reneé (Philip) von Boehm-Bezing of Stuttgart, Germany, and Charles “Carlito” and Idalia Richard of La Saucelle, France; her brothers, Donald Aldrich of Waukon and Jon Craig (Sharon) Aldrich of League City TX; her sister, Connie (Don Garbe) Aldrich of Georgetown TX; along with several grandchildren and nieces and nephews. She will be missed dearly.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles; her brother, A. James Aldrich; her parents, Alvin and Adelaide Aldrich; and her sisters-in-laws, Lois Aldrich and Jean Aldrich.
