Marilyn Dunham

Marilyn M. (Dummer) Dunham, 88, passed away peacefully Tuesday, December 18, 2018 at The Willows in La Crosse.

She was born April 19,1930 in La Crosse to Herbert and Mae (Roggensack) Dummer. She graduated from Central High School in 1947.

On October 21, 1950, at St. James, she married the cute boy she met at the bus stop a few years earlier, Jim Dunham. They enjoyed 65 years of marriage until Jim’s passing in 2016.

In November 1951 she and Jim moved to South Carolina and later Anchorage, Alaska, as Jim served in the Air Force. Upon returning to La Crosse, Marilyn worked as a secretary at Trane Company, as a clerk for Judge Leonard Roraff and finally for City Hall and their Credit Union. But her roles as mother and homemaker were her passions.

Marilyn loved cardinals, owls, flowers (especially tulips and poppies), dinners out with her family, attending her children and grandchildren’s events and sitting in the sun.

In their younger years, Marilyn and Jim enjoyed vacationing with their kids, visiting resorts in the Chetek area. In their later years they vacationed several times in Myrtle Beach, SC.

She is survived by children, Terry (Kathy) Dunham of Chetek, WI, Lori Stuckey of Fort Wayne, IN, Karen (Tony) Lyga, La Crosse and Diane (Duane) Tolander of Ankeny, IA;  grandchildren Anthony (Megan) Dunham, Emily (Brad) Hubert, Amber (Chris) Haines, Sarah, Kendra and Zach Stuckey, Caitlin (Eric) Wilson, Trevor Lyga, Alison (Jacob) Welch,  Nick (Melissa) Strauss; three step grandchildren, 18.5 great-grandchildren, brother, Richard (Lillian) Dummer of Lakeland, FL and by Jim’s family,  Joe (Cecilia) Dunham, Dan (Candy) Dunham, Robert (Cindy) Dunham, Paul (Linda) Dunham, Helen Hall, Carole (Ken) Borsheim, Jackie Tischer, Sue (Bob) Kjos, Betty Burdoin, and many special nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by Jim on May 1, 2016, her parents, brother Herb Dummer Jr.,  in-laws Jack & Irene Dunham, brothers-in-law Jerry Dunham, Bud Hall and John Tischer.

Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday December 29th at Blessed Sacrament Church with Funeral Mass at 10:30 am. Father Peter Raj will officiate. Burial will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Blaschke & Schneider Funeral Homes are assisting.

Memorials may be directed to Bethany Lutheran Homes, Gundersen Foundation, or Blessed Sacrament Parish.

The family would like to thank Marilyn & Jim’s dearest caretaker/friend, Caitlin Collins, for her years of service and love. Additional thanks to Dr. Udell, Gundersen Hospice and The Willows staff (you guys rock).

In the last few weeks of her life, as her memory was failing, and after a few attempts, Mom was still able to recite all the books of the Bible in order, having learned them in grade school. She had a quiet but strong faith in the Lord. We take comfort in knowing she is reunited with Dad and they are celebrating their first Christmas together in Heaven.