Marilyn Dutt

Marilyn “Mim” Dutt, 94, of Willmar, died Wednesday, April 29 at CentraCare - Rice Hospital in Willmar. Her funeral service will be 1:00 pm, Saturday, May 9th at Bethel Lutheran Church in Willmar. Visitation will be 6:00 – 8:00 pm, Friday at Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar and continue one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at First English Lutheran Cemetery in Sacred Heart. The family ask for casual attire including jeans. In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to Bethel Lutheran Church Youth. Arrangements are with Harvey Anderson & Johnson Funeral Home in Willmar. www.hafh.org

Marilyn Ann Dutt was born January 16, 1932, in Sacred Heart, Minnesota, to Benjamin and Alma (Golie) Skalbeck. She grew up on the family farm near Sacred Heart and graduated from Sacred Heart High School in 1950. Following high school, Marilyn continued her education at St. Cloud State University, where she earned her degree in Physical Education in 1954.

Marilyn then moved to Hector, Minnesota, where she taught Physical Education at Hector Schools. It was there that she met fellow teacher, Herbert Dutt, and the two were married in 1958 in Sacred Heart. Together they were blessed with one daughter, Tracy. They later made their home in Willmar, Minnesota, where Marilyn devoted herself to being a homemaker while also serving as a substitute teacher in Willmar Public Schools for many years, a role she truly enjoyed.

Marilyn was a faithful member of Bethel Lutheran Church, where she was actively involved in quilting, funeral lunches, Meals on Wheels, and women’s circle. She was also a longtime member of Valley Golf Club and served as the coordinator of the Women’s Golf League for many years, stepping down at the remarkable age of 93. Marilyn had a deep love for golf and only recently set down her clubs. She also found joy in knitting, especially making her treasured Christmas socks each year for those she loved. She was a gifted seamstress, and her cross-stitch and hardanger pieces were exquisite treasures.

Above all, Marilyn’s greatest joy was her family. For more than 60 years, she opened her cabins on Lake Amelia and Eagle Lake for the cherished Fourth of July celebrations. Thanksgiving at Marilyn’s home was another treasured tradition, one she looked forward to each year. Marilyn was the glue of her family, the one who brought everyone together with her unwavering love, loyalty, and caring heart. She will be remembered for her kindness, devotion, and the way she made everyone feel at home and deeply loved.

Marilyn is survived by her daughter, Tracy (Dan) Eggen of Otsego, Minnesota; sister, DeVona Swanson of Litchfield, Minnesota; sisters-in-law, Joan Skalbeck of Sacred Heart and Gloria Skalbeck of Spicer; numerous nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews; and many who considered her an adopted grandma.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Herb; her parents, Benjamin and Alma; brothers, Robert (Jo) Skalbeck, Rodney Skalbeck, and Milan Skalbeck; brothers-in-law, James Swanson, Gottlieb (Pat) Dutt, Reinholt (Norma) Dutt, and Milton (Hertha) Dutt; and sister-in-law, Eileen (George) Torbert.

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