Obituary of Mary Lou Rottman

**SERVICE HAS BEEN RE-SCHEDULED FOR MONDAY 2/23 @ 1:00PM, GRAVESIDE AT MOUNT NEBO CEMETERY**

Mary Lou Rottman, the daughter of Louis and Geraldine Isaacson, was born in Denver, Colorado, on September 28, 1930. The highlight of her youth was yearly summer camp in the mountains. After completing college at CU in Boulder, Mary Lou married and became the dedicated mother of four boys. In those years she typically rose before dawn to cook meals for her brood. Special meals for Friday night and holidays were abundant and delicious. She also served as the principal of the Hebrew School at Congregation Rodef Shalom.

When the children were grown, Mary Lou returned to the University of Colorado as a graduate student in biology. She undertook field studies high in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado, studying the plant life of the alpine tundra. She completed her Ph.D. in 1984, and then continued to share her love of nature with others, teaching at CU as well as leading many elder hostels around the country.

Dr. Rottman lived the latter part of her life in Grand Junction under blue skies, nestled between the Grand Mesa on the east and the red rock cliffs of Colorado National Monument to the west. In the last months of her life she required nursing home care. That was a challenging change for this highly independent person. She adjusted and achieved a remarkable serenity, often repeating that she was just happy to be alive. Dr. Rottman was 95 years of age when she departed this world on February 18, 2026, the first day of Adar, a time when we anticipate the blossoming of Spring.

As a mother and a grandmother, Mary Lou always respected and supported the individuality and the life paths chosen by her children and grandchildren. She is survived by her sons Jerry, Randy, Ron, and Dan, and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Graveside service, Monday Feb. 23rd, 1:00PM, Mt. Nebo Cemetery; Livestream available on the Feldman Mortuary YouTube channel; Memorial contributions may be made to Colorado Public Radio.