Adventist Frontier Missions (AFM) honors the life of Marianne Hollister, AFM receptionist, our “face and voice” at Adventist Frontier Missions from August 14, 2001 – July 31, 2015. She also served as circulation manager for the Adventist Frontiers magazine.
Marianne passed away peacefully with her husband by her side on Tuesday, August 16, 2022, after battling cancer for five years.
Marianne was greatly loved by everyone at AFM. Colleagues enjoyed her cheerful greetings and willing attitude. Donors got to know her personally over the phone. Missionaries could always count on her to be there to help, and their children thought of her as their aunt. Marianne was a missionary to missionaries, making each person feel they were the only one who mattered at the moment.
Marianne (Rohde) Hollister was born in Bad Nauheim, Germany, on January 11, 1953, to Kenneth and Annelore (Fuhrer) Rohde. On August 28, 1982, she married Bill Hollister, who loved and admired her until the end.
Marianne had a love for gardening, a passion she developed through her grandpa, and had a flower garden wherever she lived. She also had a love for Cheerios, munching away on them throughout the course of her workday.
Former missionary Dale Goodson remembered first meeting her on the phone and how she dropped everything she was doing to attend to his urgent need in the field. From then on, he knew that if Marianne ever answered the phone, he would always get the help he needed.
Missionaries Stephen and Laurie Erickson and Rene Theunissen shared that whenever they were in town on furlough and would stop by the AFM office, she made them feel welcome, always taking time to talk and listen to their stories. “It was like our call to the office, or our visit were the only thing that mattered at that moment. She loved the missionaries and was a missionary to us,” said Rene.
Sinisa Milovanovic, AFM Treasurer, remembers arriving for his interview: “Her friendly face and warm smile truly reflected God’s love and were my first impression of the organization.”
Former coworker Heidi Magesa shared how fun it was to talk with her as they visited at Marianne’s desk, which was often surrounded by lovely African violets and home to a beautiful beta fish.
“Love just exuded from her,” said Robin Morrison, AFM executive assistant. “It’s like she breathed love, in and out. I think she got that from Jesus!” And that is all that need be said.
If you would like to remember Marianne, her family suggests two ways: write a message on her guestbook at https://www.cstonefs.com/obituary/marianne-hollister, or make a donation to AFM in her name at afmonline.org (write “In memory of Marianne Hollister” in the comment section with your donation).
OBITUARY
Marianne Hollister
(January 11, 1953 – August 16, 2022)
Marianne (Rohde) Hollister, aged 69 of Waupun, passed away peacefully with her loving family by her side, on Tuesday, August 16, 2022, after battling cancer for five years.
Visitation for Marianne will be held on Monday, August 22, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 12:00 p.m. at Cornerstone Funeral & Cremation Services, 135 Keller Blvd., Beaver Dam, WI. A luncheon break will follow the service, with the burial after at Greenwood Cemetery in Kingston, WI.
Marianne was born in Bad Nauheim, Germany, on January 11, 1953, to Kenneth and Annelore (Fuhrer) Rohde. On August 28, 1982, she was united in marriage to Bill Hollister. She got her love of gardening from her grandpa, and always had a flower garden wherever she lived. Her life was devoted to love, a shining example to everyone she met. As the receptionist for Adventist Frontier Missions, Marianne was a missionary to missionaries, much beloved by them and their children, whom she considered as her own. During her 14-year tenure, she exuded warmth and compassion to every caller and visitor. She retired from Adventist Frontier Missions in 2015, then spending much of her time with her dad.
Marianne is survived by her husband, Bill Hollister of Waupun; her children, Aaron (Julia) Pues of Tampa, Vance (Michelle) Pues of Neenah, Brad (Marie) Pues of Las Vegas, Shiloh Hollister of Berrien Springs, and Lindsey (Joe) McCullough of Germany; grandchildren, Ben, Ethan, Trace, Dane, Ella, Makayla, Brodie, and Shylah; and great-grandchildren; her brother, Jim Rohde, and sister, Jo Vossekuil; and further survived by many nieces and nephews, other relatives, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Liane Vander Hei; cousin, Nancy (Mark) Becker; sister-in-law, Lori Rohde; aunts, uncles, and other relatives.
