Marian Louise Like

Marian Louise (Rose) Like was born on August 26, 1932, in La Junta, Colorado to Irwin & Verda (Russell) Rose. She departed this life on November 8, 2026, surrounded by family in her Kim home. She was 94 years old.

She attended elementary school in the Kim area and met her to be husband when she was only 10 years old in one of the one-room schools she attended. She finished her high school education and graduated from Kim High School at the end of May 1950. She married Tommy Like in December 1949 during Christmas vacation so went to Trinidad with him where she completed her high school diploma.

Tommy was a freshman at T.S.J.C where he was working on a civil engineering degree. During the two years Tommy was in college, Marian helped with the finances as there was no “student aid” back then. She played piano in a dance band, worked at Wool Worths Dime Store and Montgomery Ward, all part -time jobs, but paid the rent.

She gave birth to their first child the following summer on September 8, 1951. Tommy had completed his two years at T.S.J.C and transferred to C.S.U. in Fort Collins to begin his junior year in Civil Engineering. Tragedy struck on January 31, 1951, they lost their baby to S.I.D.S. Heartbroken, they returned to the Kim area, taking 5 years to recuperate and put life back together. During those 5 years, God blessed them with 3 more baby girls. Marian changed diapers, filled bottles, and walked the floor at night with her babies when they were sick or fussy. Tommy bought the Velarde Place in the Kim area and taught school at both Villegreen and Kim. After 5 years expired, they had enough finances to return to Fort Collins where Tommy pursued his degree in engineering. Marian did seamstress work and she cooked 3 meals a day for 17 college students, 6 days a week. She had 3 small children, but no help, no dishwasher, cooked everything from scratch and said in later years she didn’t know how she got it all done.

Tommy completed his junior and senior years and earned his engineering degree in June of 1959. S.C.S. hired him right out of college and opened an office at Kim; All the hard work has been worth it.

During the years Tommy worked for the federal government, they lived in Kim, Trinidad, Steamboat Springs, Alamosa and Trinidad again where Tommy retired in 1980. Marian worked at the Chamber of Commerce in Trinidad and wrote a daily article for the “Chronicle News”. She will be remembered in Southeast Colorado for being a member of the “Kim Grand Ole Opry”, headed by her brother, Russell Rose, along with Bill Mizer, Ewell Hunnicutt, Louie Cusimano, Harold Simmons and several other musicians from the Kim area. They held benefits for hospitals, schools, Heart Fund and several charities in Southeast Colorado. Marian served as chairman for the Heart Fund in Las Animas County for 8 years. She took on her first full-time job after she became a grandmother. Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Colorado hired her in 1976 in Alamosa where she ran the service office in the San Luis Valley. She climbed the ladder quickly and became the top salesperson for that Health Company in the state of Colorado. She won many trips and cruises for herself and Tommy. They visited all the Virgin Islands and went to Hawaii twice. She followed her career for 14 years but retired to where her mother was widowed, so she could care for her mother in her home in Julesburg.

Marian & Tommy had bought a ranch in Julesburg, Colorado and were there 14 years. In 2000, they sold the ranch and bought a mountain home in Black Hawk, Colorado.

Marian’s heart always was with God, and she was baptized into Christ in March of 1952. Her children and grandchildren have followed her example. They were her pride and joy, her “Christian Family.” She thanked God for them often. She seriously heeded Gods advice found in Deuteronomy 11:18-19 “Put these words of mine in your heart and soul… teach them to your children.”

Marian is survived by her three daughters, Tina (Bob) Watkins, Robin (Joe Bob) Autry & Cari Stedje; grandchildren, Wade (Rachel) Watkins, Tate (Tally) Watkins, Jason Autry, Jaxon (Kate) Autry, JJ (Crystal) Autry, Kendra (Jerad) Martin, Brandon (Christine) Plagge, Kaycee (Jason) Newall & Chad (Julie) Howe; 15 great-grandchildren & 2 great, great grandchildren; sister, Lee Lowry & numerous nieces and nephews also survive. Marian is preceded in death by her husband, William Thomas “Tommy” Like; parents, James & Verda Rose, infant baby daughter, Victoria Anne Like; brother, Russell Rose & sister, Jean Riffel.

Funeral service will be held at the Kim Gym in Kim, Colorado on Friday, November 20, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. with Pastor Rusty Rose of the Church of Christ in Stephenville, Texas officiating. Burial to follow at Kim Cemetery in Kim, Colorado.

Online condolences may be made at www.PeacockFH.com. Perez & Peacock Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.