Marilyn Jean Tell

Marilyn Jean (Richardson) Tell, 91, of Dayton, Iowa, passed away on Monday February 3, 2020, surrounded by her loving family,at the Paula J. Baber Hospice Home in Fort Dodge.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m., Monday, February 10, 2020, at the United Methodist Church in Dayton with a luncheon to follow. Pastor Kay. Christie will officiate. Burial will be in the Dayton Cemetery at 1:00 p.m. Visitation will be at Carson ~ Stapp Funeral Home in Dayton on Sunday, February 9, 2020, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Marilyn Jean (Richardson) Tell was born on a farm in Yell Township near Dayton, Iowa on December 4, 1928 to Laurence and Irene (Eslick) Richardson. She graduated from Dayton High School in 1946. She attended radio operators training near Omaha Nebraska and then took a position with Dr. Earl S Burch in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Marilyn worked for years as the bookkeeper for the family business, Tell Well Company of Dayton, Iowa.

She was united in Holy Matrimony on August 13, 1948 to George Wayne Tell, in a ceremony held at Grace United Methodist Church in Dayton. Marilyn was the loving mother of four children: Holly Collette (Pastor Warren) Egebo of Green Bay, Wisconsin, Kristen Elaine Tell, formerly of Clive, Iowa, Stuart Wayne (Terri Knutson) Tell of Mason City, Iowa, and Russell Warren (Marsha Peterson) Tell of Ankeny, Iowa.

Marilyn was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church; she enjoyed participating in many church activities and particularly cherished belonging to the circle. To say Marilyn was an amazing gardener is understated. She loved to plant and nurture flowers of all colors and varieties. Her yard and her home always had splashes of color for each season. Many area residents enjoyed the large gladiola gardens that she cultivated. Marilyn loved to share her special flower arrangements with many individuals, groups, and businesses.

Music was another one of Marilyn’s lifelong interests. She had a special place in her heart for singing hymns in church, as well as the harmony of a church choir. Marilyn enjoyed playing piano, organ, accordion, and dulcimer. When asked about playing her musical instruments, she would say that she wasn’t very good, but for those who could listen from afar or audiences that could stand nearby unannounced, they understood how she used her skills to create joyful moments. Marilyn’s children will tell you that she secretly kept an electric guitar that she hoped to play someday.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 64 years, George Wayne Tell, her beautiful daughter, Kristen Elaine Tell, her parents, J. Laurence and Irene (Eslick) Richardson, her brother Merrill Richardson and sister Phyllis Norine.

She is survived by her children: Holly Collette (Pastor Warren) Egebo of Green Bay, Wisconsin, Stuart Wayne (Terri Knutson) Tell of Mason City, Iowa, and Russell Warren (Marsha Peterson) Tell of Ankeny, Iowa.

Her Grand Children: Melanie (Egebo) Tony Gallina of Alburtis, Pennsylvania, Brett (Silas Flores) Egebo, Chicago, Illinois. Derreck Tell and Jarrod (Lindsey) Tell of Mason City, Iowa, Jilann (Michael Armstrong) Tell of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Rachel (Joel) Tell Sasek of Ames, Iowa, Cathryn Tell of Des Moines, Iowa, Breanne (Tell) Jordan Dingbaum of Portland, Oregon.

She is also survived by eleven great-grandchildren and her Brother-in-law Ray Norine of Fort Dodge, Iowa.

Marilyn loved to be gramma for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as her step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren. Her love for the smiles and happiness of small children is well known in her community. Her tender heart and her friendly smile will long be remembered and cherished by those who knew her.

Marilyn’s family would like to thank the staff and volunteers of the Paula J. Baber Hospice Home in Fort Dodge for their compassionate care and guidance during this time of grief and loss.