Marilyn Kay Utke DeWitt passed away Sunday, January 19, 2020, in St Louis, MO, in the loving arms of her daughter, Paige.
Marilyn was born in Ann Arbor, MI, on January 18, 1943, to Reinhold and Ruth Hannaford Utke. She grew up in Moorhead, MN, graduating from Moorhead High School, and Luther College, Decorah, Iowa, with a degree in Elementary Education. She was a stewardess for TWA Airlines for 32+ years, living most of her adult life in Kansas City and St. Louis, MO.
Marilyn is survived by her loving children, Drew DeWitt (Minneapolis, MN) and Paige DeWitt (St. Louis, MO), grandchildren Jillian DeWitt (St. Louis, MO) and Brix and Bella DeWitt (Minneapolis, MN), sister Sharon Utke Carlos (Colorado Springs, CO) and step-mother Crystal Tollefson Utke (Moorhead, MN). In addition, she is survived by many nieces and nephews, and a host of cousins, especially Jeff and Anne King (Hot Springs, AR) and Lynn and Marcia Utke (Enderlin, ND). She is also survived by her cats, Jupiter, Jake and Simplicity, who brought so much joy to her life.
Marilyn was preceded in death by her loving husband Howard “Dean” DeWitt, parents Reinhold and Ruth Utke, her step-son Davin Chevalier and in-laws Ralph and Florence DeWitt.
Memorial services will be held at a date to yet be determined.
ARRANGEMENTS UNDER THE DIRECTION OF MICHEL FUNERAL HOME.
Drew, Paige, Jillian and all the family, I send deepest sympathy on the loss of your beautiful mother and grandmother. When I was in my freshman year of college in LA, I was so unhappy there I wanted to quit. Knowing Marilyn was flying for TWA, I wrote to her and she encourage me to go forward and achieve my degree. Like Marilyn, I got a degree in education. Like my cousin , I chose another career, in the military. She gave such good advice!
Ozzie and I visited Marilyn and Jillian when Jillian was into Nemo and it was a fabulous time!!
Marilyn was a great lady and as long as she lives in our hearts, she lives on. I wish you comfort and peace.
Love, Marie
Thank you Marie for your kind words! 💜
Hi, Paige, I intended to say my visit with Marilyn and you and sweet little Jillian. Jillian was fascinated with Ozzie. Marilyn was so amused as was I ..Your mother endured her health issue with courage , dignity and grace. Hugs to all of you. ❣️
Im so sorry for your loss My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. It was an honor and blessing to have known and helped care for Marilyn!!
Julie you were the best! I appreciate all you did for mom! Thank you!💜
I don’t know where to start after hearing from Paige about her mother’s death. I am so saddened. Marilyn was my next door neighbor in Weatherby Lake. I never had a neighbor before or after that I loved as much as Marilyn. She was a very intelligent, classy lady. She had a wicked sense of humor and we had many good laughs! To know that her own personal bright light is gone brings tears to my eyes. However, her light will always burn bright because of Drew, Paige and the grandchildren. They will carry her memory and tell stories of Marilyn for years to come! I know I will!.
I will say prayers for the family. Just remember to live with joy in your heart and live with passion and as ferociously as your mother did! Knowing Marilyn, she is watching down on all of you! So live, live, live with the gusto of a hound dog! That is what she would want you to do……Love, Sherry, Joe, Anthony, Joe Mike and Vincent
Sad than you are gone Mimi, you were a beautiful loving and understanding woman…you loved me like I was your own. I’m sorry Paige and Jillian that you have to now go through life without her being here in body, but please remember that she is always here in the spirit. Her love for you will never change and she will continue to watch over you two and lead you in the right direction. You are in my prayers on today and the days to come. I love you!!!
Paige, you and Jillian and your family are in my thoughts. I remember coming over to your house to play in grade school and Marilyn with the biggest most welcoming smile. I know none of this was easy the past several months for you. I hope you can find some comfort in those good memories and moments. Sending you a huge hug my friend.
❤ Melissa
I’m so sorry, Drew and Paige! She was such a wonderful lady! Remember, though, she will always be with you, and without pain!
Paige, Jillian, Drew and family, It was such a blessing to share time with Marilyn throughout the years. Marilyn’s love for the Lord and others touched my heart time and again. So many were blessed by the hand-knit prayer shawls, infant hats, and blankets she gifted. Every day, Marilyn knew she was firmly in the Lord’s loving arms. She now sees her Savior face-to-face. May you, her precious family, rest in the peace and comfort found in Christ. You remain in my prayers! In Christ’s Love and mine, Sharon Shearman
I’m so sorry Paige, Drew, and Jillian and family. I was blessed with a phone call from Marilyn a few weeks ago. We reminisced about the trouble we got into as kids. But we had lots of fun and it sure upset parents and grandparents. Parents just don’t understand having fun. I will always treasure these good memories. Paige I enjoyed talking to you. I know life comes with a lot of pain, but it hurts so much because we love others so much and remember all they’ve done for us. As we remember Marilyn we’ll remember her big smile and how she loved to hug us. Peace be with you.
We’re so sorry Paige.
Drew, Jillian, and family. I was blessed with a phone call from Marilyn a few weeks ago. We reminisced about all the fun we had as kids and the trouble we got into. Parents and grandparents just don’t understand fun. I also enjoyed visiting with Paige. The pain we suffer at the loss of someone is because of how much we loved someone and the memories we have of them. Please find comfort in these good memories and remember her big smile and her big hugs.
Lynn and Marcia Utke
Paige, Jillian, and family. My sincere condolences on your loss. Ashley and Nick remember Mimi well with all her smiles and hugs. She gave of herself and left people feeling loved. God Bless you all in this time of grief, but also grant you the joy of Christ’s promise of eternal life with him in Heaven. Rest in Peace Mimi.
Mimi I can say a million positive words about you. I once again want to thank you for welcoming me into your home and trusting me with everything there was to know about you and your family. I never had a family take me in as family and not just as a worker and for that I thank you and love you for it. You are finally at peace and at rest cancer free! You won! Cancer can no longer drain you are have you down. We still miss you and love you mimi.
Paige, Drew, Jillian, and family
I’m sorry for your loss. Marilyn and I sure caused a lot of trouble when we were kids, we definitely created a lot of stress for our parents and grandparents. I really enjoyed talking to Marilyn and Paige just after Christmas. We’ll really miss Marilyn, I wish I could talk to her again. We have lots of good memories and miss her smile and hugs.
Cousin Marilyn was always special in my eyes. I admired that she graduated from Luther College in Decorah, and that she was one of Weston Noble’s soloists in the Nordic Choir. Marilyn exhibited resilience and strength throughout her life, inspired by her faith in God. She has a beautiful family, who can cherish her memory.
Dear Paige,
It was my pleasure to care for your mother for several years before her passing. Despite her long years of pain she always had a ready laugh and a story to tell about people who had touched her life and who she had helped. I’m so sorry for your loss She was a very special lady
Dear family of Marilyn, I have just read my latest Luther magazine and noticed your dear mother’s obituary. My heart is so saddened. Your Mom and I were friends at Luther and just about 57 years ago she sang for our wedding. She had such a beautiful voice and a beautiful heart! I know that she now sings with the angel choirs of heaven praising our Lord and Savior. May you always be comforted in knowing she loved you all so much and may you find peace that your Mom now rests in the arms of Jesus.