Marilyn K. Dale

Haven -In 1954, Marilyn King's classmates described her as rowdy. They had no idea. Strong, loving, tough, supportive until the end, Marilyn King Dale died Wednesday, Feb. 4, at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center after a short illness. She was 78. Born in 1936, Marilyn was the only daughter of Ray and Jane King of Omro, Wis. With two older brothers, she learned to be rowdy, and then channeled that into strong independence. She earned a degree in English from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and then married Richard Harrand. Her strength would be tested a few years later when Dick was killed in a car accident that also left her injured and alone to raise their 5-year-old son, Kevin. She passed the test, raising Kevin as a working, single mom in 1960s Wisconsin. Her combination of determination and loving support ensured a happy home and a fun childhood for her son. Nearing the end of the decade, a Kansas boy made his way to Wisconsin, landing at the Oshkosh YMCA where Marilyn was a secretary. Soon, the weekly reservation for Kevin and Marilyn at Charlie's Glass Bar for a Wisconsin fish fry grew to three as Robert Dale joined the group. Married in 1970, Bob and Marilyn had a son in 1971. Ronald Dale completed the family. Bob and Marilyn moved the troop to Salina, Kansas in 1972 and to Haven in 1977. Settling in to the small rural town, Marilyn spent years working for H.H. Stecher and then earned her real estate license. Throughout the years, as their circle of friends grew, Marilyn and Bob followed their passions: raising their sons, building a happy home and celebrating (often) with a tight group of Haven couples. Marilyn loved organizing the Haven Fall Festival, attending and volunteering at the United Church of Christ Congregational and yelling at the TV when the Green Bay Packers were not performing up to her expectations. She took up golf later in life at Haven and in Hutchinson, winning tournaments and, yes, getting involved in the clubs. She was most happy walking the fairways with Ron. If she had a fault it was that she always put others' needs ahead of her own. In addition to her mother and father and first husband, Marilyn was preceded in death by her brothers, Charles and Lawrence King. She is survived by husband Bob of Haven, Kevin and Lana Dale of Evergreen, Colorado, and Ron Dale of Salt Lake City, Utah. A private funeral is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 9 at the Congregational Church, Haven with a public visitation from noon to 2 p.m. at the church. Memorials can be sent to Ronald McDonald House Charities, 1300 E 21st Ave, Denver, Colorado, 80205, or http://www.ronaldhouse.org in care of Ott Funeral Home, Haven, KS.

Marilyn K. Dale

May 7, 1936 - February 4, 2015