Some years ago, we went to town for a land auction. The gymnasium was crowded and we wound up in a seat near the front, which was a little uncomfortably visible for my taste, even if we were planning to bid. Maybe because we were planning to bid.
A few bids in, and my husband leaned over to ask if I thought we should keep going. I answered in the affirmative. He bid again. The auctioneer grabbed the bid, stopped his chant and said, “Usually when they ask the wife, they stop bidding — but she said yes!”
I’m pretty sure I turned red. But I also immediately pictured Marilyn Rosenboom. I thought she’d do the same thing. And I thought she’d be proud of me. Of us.
Marilyn her husband, Russell, farmed together for 66 years in Iroquois County, Ill., and she died last week, having packed more life into 87 years than most of us can in half that time. Most of it, right from their farm.
Russ and Marilyn were partners in farm, family and life, and they spent the last 20 years as mentors in our Cultivating Master Farmers program. That program put young farmers in the room with Master Farmers for a two-year commitment, to learn from each other.
Russ and Marilyn were the only Master Farmers to work with every single class. And let me tell you, they dropped some wisdom over the years.
Real partners
As a young farmer in CMF, Jared Gregg, Cisco, Ill., learned quickly that Russ and Marilyn were partners in every sense — and her direct, strong conviction and efficiency gave Russ confidence to try new things. She had a hand in every ,business decision they made.
“They were willing to take risks. Russ’s view was if it didn’t work, you at least learned something applicable to another situation in life,” Gregg recalled. “I don’t think they’d been as willing to take risks without Marilyn.”
They were progressively old school in all the things they’ve tried, including farming on two sides of the state. They figured a granddaughter could farm just as easily as a grandson. They traveled the world and hosted exchange students.
Together, they learned nonstop and changed production techniques with the times. Together, they treated people fairly and with dignity. Their success came from commitment to one another and the strengths they valued in each other.
There’s probably a sermon there for young couples.
Lena Head, another CMF mentee from Blue Mound, Ill., noticed that Marilyn and Russ always looked for ways to give back or to help someone else get a start. And they were vulnerable.
“Marilyn shared some really candid stories about when they’d fallen on tough times. She displayed so much grit and quiet confidence. But above all else, she and Russell took on every challenge as a team,” Head said. “Hardship is inevitable, but coming out of it better than you were before takes a lot of faith and teamwork.”
That’s a word.
Young farmer Kate Huffman, Galva, Ill., remembers, “She walked in a room and it just felt warmer. It was as if you immediately had a friend.”
Life advice
Personally, I learned to have my notepad ready anytime Marilyn or Russ spoke. They could drop a one-liner like a hammer.
Like Marilyn on balancing work and family and farm: “If you put your family first, you’ll always make the right decision.”
Or Russ on taking the whole family on vacation: “You can leave ‘em a million dollars or a million dollars’ worth of memories.”
Or Marilyn on the breast cancer she beat: “Get your mammogram!”
Marilyn didn’t mince words. She was grit and faith personified. Tiny in frame but packed with spirit.
Russ was a lucky man. We were luckier friends.
And if we’re all fortunate enough, we’ll get a life on the farm like hers.
Comments? Email holly.spangler@farmprogress.com.