Marilyn Belle Dexter

Marilyn Belle (Sweet) Dexter, 96, of Grand Island, Nebraska, formerly of Clarks, Nebraska, died September 9, 2024, at Country House Residence of Grand Island. Funeral Services and Celebration of her Life will be on Saturday, September 14, 2024 at Solt-Wagner Funeral Home in Central City at 10:30 AM, with Pastor Scott Jones officiating. Burial will follow in Bureau Cemetery near Pierce Chapel Church in Clarks. Visitation will be Friday, September 13 (5-7 PM) at Solt-Wagner Funeral Home in Central City. Memorials are suggested to the family to be designated at a later date. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.soltwagnerfuneral.com. Marilyn was born August 24th, 1928, to Frank and Veda Sweet, in Clarks, Nebraska. She graduated from Clarks High School in 1947 where she met and married her husband, Bill E. Dexter on April 11, 1947. Together they lived, loved, worked and raised their family on a farm northwest of Clarks. We would venture to say that everyone who met her or knew her was blessed in some way or a multitude of ways. To know her was to love her. The six of us experienced her 96 years of love in so many individual aspects. Mom had many talents in gardening, raising chickens and dressing them, and canning vegetables and fruits. She served on the Clarks High School Board and attended many sporting events, to name just a few of the activities she was involved in. With 6 of us, when a disagreement was brewing, her favorite saying was “if you have time to fight, you have time to work!” and she would scoot us off to weed the garden, pick the peas, or some other chore. Her most recognized trait, besides her love, was her ability to sew anything and everything; from underclothes to wedding dresses. Quilting became her most loved hobby, making quilts of love for all of us children and grandchildren! They didn’t appear by chance but were made by design. The designer had a specific purpose in mind for that quilt creation, quite a feat! These quilts were not only pieces of art but practical as well. Old quilts are true family treasures because of the love they convey and the cherished memories they hold. Quilting, a craft perfected through a trained eye and skilled hands, can be learned with a willing heart, and mom’s heart was oh so willing. Family was everything to mom. Mom, Marilyn, leaves behind an extensive legacy of love in cherished memories of her sister, Miriam (Jerry) Truesdell and her children, Renae (Terry) Schmid of West Haven, UT., Ronda (Bob) Kinsey, Scottsbluff, Randy (Deb) Dexter, Central City, Robin (Don) Hathorne, San Antonio, TX, Ryan (Laura) Dexter, Grand Island and Royce (Carol) Dexter, Urbandale, IA. Grandchildren, Tandra (Steve Sand)Schmid, Trent (Lisa) Schmid, B.J. (Cory) Kinsey, Jennifer Kinsey, Erin (Coby) Romig, Sarah (Jeff) Tlamka, Anne (Marty) Haas, Joe (Stacy) Dexter, Dan Hathorne, Derek (Stephanie) Hathorne, Donnie Hathorne (Kathy Sweeney), Dustin (Crystal) Hathorne, Joshua (Emily) Dexter, Evan Dexter (Aline McGuire), and Lauren, Braden (Aleena Korell), Alysen Dexter. Great grandchildren, Taryn and Linsey Schmid, Talera and Traven Kinsey, Maison and Cameron Kinsey, Kaden and Kohen Romig, Hannah, Abby and Josie Tlamka, Dexter and Jayden Smith, Jared, Jacob and Eliana Haas, Macie, Maddie and Noah Dexter, Jessica Hathorne (Lucas Anzola), Devin Hathorne, Jacob and Natalie Sweeney, Emma Hathorne, Nathan, Silas and Lydia Hathorne and Madison and Ellen Dexter. Great-great grandchildren, William Haas and Nikolai Anzola. Sister-in-law-Marie Kuczinski, many nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews. Mom was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Dexter, parents, Frank and Veda Sweet, and greatgrandchildren Elizabeth and Joseph Tlamka. The family is grateful to Good Samaritan Society and CountryHouse Residence for their loving and caring service. Mom always said ”she couldn’t believe we were from the same family, we were all so different.” Love is the commonality. We wish you LOVE!

Marilyn Belle Dexter

August 24, 1928 - September 9, 2024