Marilyn Athey

Marilyn Athey, age 84, of Big Stone City, SD, died on June 28, 2018, at Milbank Care and Rehabilitation Center.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 7, 2018, at 10:30 a.m. at Tabor United Methodist Church in Big Stone City. Visitation will be Friday, July 6, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Tabor Methodist Church and will continue one hour prior to services on Saturday. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery in Big Stone City.

Urn bearer will be Les Athey. Honorary bearers will be Marilyn’s grandchildren and Darold Swihart. A poem will be read by great-grandaughter, Morgan Raffety.

Marilyn Patricia (Duncan) Athey was born March 17, 1934, to Lynn and Marian (Eaton) Duncan in Brawley, CA. She grew up mainly in Oak Harbor, WA, and graduated high school there in 1952.

On October 24, 1952, she was united in marriage to Stanley Athey in Oak Harbor, WA. They moved to the Clinton, MN, area in 1953, and farmed until 1959. In 1964, they moved to Lead, SD, and in 1967, they moved to Big Stone City, SD. Marilyn moved into Golden Living Center in Milbank, in 2017.

Marilyn was a devoted member of Tabor United Methodist Church and the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary. She volunteered countless hours to both; preparing for flower shows, working in the kitchens, selling calendars and poppies, and making baked goods; to name a few. She worked at Big Stone Cheese Factory for a number of years, and also volunteered at St. Williams Care Center, Angela Hall. Marilyn enjoyed vegetable and flower gardening, and bird watching.

Marilyn loved family gatherings and enjoyed playing softball, bowling, badminton, horseshoes, cards, cribbage and board games. She was an avid Minnesota sports fan and enjoyed rooting for the Vikings, Lynx, Wild, and especially, the Twins. One of her sports highlights was getting an autograph from her favorite Twins player of all time, Bert Blyleven. Marilyn was thrilled to meet Bert in person and he even asked her to sit on his lap for a photo op! Marilyn enjoyed attending her children’s, grandchildren’s, and even great-grandchildren’s sporting events.

Left to cherish her memory are her sons: Leslie of Clinton, MN; Robert (Marcy) of Big Stone City, SD; and Dale (Pam) of Panama City, FL; daughter, Teresa of Willmar, MN; two sisters: Janet (Marvin) Schultz of Spanaway, WA; and Barbara (William) Strowbridge of Oak Harbor, WA; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceding Marilyn in death were her parents; husband, Stanley; son, Larry; grandson, Jesse; and half-brothers: Warren and Carl.