Marlene M. Dykes, 88

Marlene Mae DeWitt Dykes was born April 12, 1934, the first of eight children of Russell and Ghita DeWitt. Marlene loved being part of a large family and counted her sisters as her best friends. Marlene was a studious child and began reading the daily paper at a young age. In high school she was involved in band, choir, attended the Methodist church, was a Jobs Daughter Honored Queen and worked. Marlene graduated as salutatorian of her class in 1952 with the plan of becoming a teacher. She attended Chadron State College but left to marry Max H Dykes on August 16, 1953. Marlene assumed she would be a ranch wife. Both Max and Marlene were family oriented and not surprisingly raised a large family of their own. Their first child was born in 1954 and over the next ten years they added 5 more. Those ten years saw many changes with Max becoming a teacher and the family moving to various towns. Marlene was out of necessity at this time a stay-at-home Mom.

In 1966 the family moved to Ogallala. Max was a history teacher and wrestling coach. In 1967 Marlene began teaching in rural schools. Her first school had an outhouse and a hand pump for water, but she didn’t care she was teaching again. Marlene considered teaching a near sacred calling and strove to improve her methods, even recognizing her own blind spots and altering things accordingly.

Max and Marlene spent the next years raising their children and working full time. Both continued their education and read the paper to keep up on current events. Both were musical and the family often sang during road trips when 8 people and a dog in an Impala became overwhelming. Their home was chaotic but friendly. Drop in guests were welcome and more kids were no problem. Many nieces and nephews as well as their children’s friends found a second home at Marlene’s house. She hosted De-Witt Thanksgivings with all her siblings and their families.

Marlene had always been a joiner and became involved with the church as well as 4H and Delta Kappa Gamma. She attended her kids’ activities including sports, concerts and plays. She became a grandma in 1978 and as with her own children she was involved and active. She had ten grandkids over an 18-year period. She attended horse shows, ball games, museums or just drew pictures or played with stuffed animals according to each kids interest. Her grandkids fondly remember staying with her while attending volleyball camps or taking swimming lessons and having peaches and cream for breakfast.

In 1981 Marlene achieved her goal and became a college graduate. She celebrated with three grandkids in tow. In 2002 Max and Marlene returned to their hometown of Rushville in part to care for Max’s mother Yvonne. This was a bittersweet decision for Marlene as she had many friends in Ogallala and would retire from teaching. Marlene had begun singing with Sweet Adelines, a barbershop group, putting a new spin on that old song because our Mama sang bass. Marlene loved the challenge of singing accapella harmony as well as the competitions.

As usual Marlene looked to the bright side of renewing friendships with old classmates and spending more time with her siblings. She joined the Legion Auxiliary, United Methodist Women and began volunteering at the golf course, library and museum.

Max’s death in 2007 saw Marlene living alone for the first time in her life. This was a lonely adjustment for her, but she began attending adult Sunday school, bible study and visiting the area nursing homes. She continued to care for her cats and spend time with family and of course, read. Marlene was thrilled when Gordon elementary asked her to be a paraprofessional for one student. She found this new perspective on teaching interesting and rewarding. She worked there for four more years with many students and one year at Rushville elementary before retiring again. Though plagued with physical ailments in her later years Marlene continued to volunteer and spend time with family which by now included great grandchildren. She read a dozen books a week until her vision failed. Marlene had to be in nursing homes for the last couple years of her life, but the cornerstones remained the same: faith, family and learning.

Marlene was preceded in death by her parents Russell and Ghita DeWitt, her in-laws John and Yvonne Dykes, her husband Max, her daughter, Deb Dawson, siblings Sarah Weidner, Eleanor Vendetti, and Chuck DeWitt, sister-in-law Maxine Diercks and brothers-inlaw Bill Diercks, Calvin Coomes, Elton Weidner, Pat Vendetti and Dave Hatch.

Those left to mourn her passing are her children: John Dykes of Chadron, Wendy (Doug) Lee of Lawton IA, Jim Dykes of Rushville, Tom (Mary) Dykes of Springfield MO, Ghita Dykes of Valentine and son-in-law Larry Dawson of Kilgore; grandchildren: Josh (Hula) Lee, Matt (Cassie) Lee, Jessica (Andy) Coyle, Jennifer (Blake)Reynolds, Andy (Kasey)Dawson, Kayla (Kyle) Helms, Erin (Chris) Petersen, Christian, Bennett and Devin Dykes; great grandchildren Shyanne, Sydnee and Syerra Dawson, Brooklyn Coyle, Lilly and Abby Helms, Brody and Rigley Petersen, Henry and Brody Lee, Brielle Reynolds, Bella and Charlotte Dykes and Nora Olson. Siblings Sally Hatch, Judy (Ron)Dorsey, Colleen (Rob) Harvey, and Dick (Chris) DeWitt. Sisters-in-law Bonnie DeWitt and Connie Coomes and cousin/friend Evelyn Crane.

Memorial services were held Saturday, August 13, 2022, 10:00 a.m. at the Morse Memorial Methodist Church in Rushville. A memorial has been established and donations may be sent in care of Chamberlain-Pier Funeral Home, PO Box 366, Gordon, NE 69343.