Marilyn Belle (Dirksen) Hoyt

Marilyn Belle Hoyt, (nee Dirksen) age 88 of Dexter, MI beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother went to sleep in Christ's arms on Monday Oct 11, 2021. Marilyn was born in Minneapolis Minnesota to William and Juanita Dirksen, oldest of four daughters. Marilyn fondly recalled living in Sioux Falls, SD. The home was next to a cemetery which she cut through on her way to and from school, innocently but lovingly, collecting flowers for her mom every day on her way back home. The family moved to Lincoln Nebraska where the freshman at Union College Academy met the love of her life in the fall of 1946, Myron A. Hoyt. The two married August 31, 1950, but the young couple was soon separated by war when Myron served in Korea from 1953-1954. Alas, Myron made it home safely to his wife and then joined the Air Force in 1955 being based in Lake Charles, LA. Marilyn kept busy and worked on the base at the Base Exchange. Marilyn, like many others at the time, loved this new singer on the scene, the one and only Elvis Presley. Marilyn and Myron were always thrilled to share that they saw him perform at the Louisiana Hayride in Shreveport. She would save her money and, as she worked at the BX, was always able to snag the latest LP of Elvis.

Marilyn raised her family of five children across the country from Oklahoma to Texas, Alaska, Kansas, and Illinois. Marilyn was always herding the children from girl scouts, boy scouts, swimming lessons, fishing lessons and a host of other sporting activities, keeping us all safe, clean and happy. Marilyn lost her love after 63 years of marriage August 31, 2013. Marilyn kept busy in later years watching her grandchildren and great grandchildren grow and thrive, her voice always happy to hear you on the other end of telephone calls or facetimes. She loved watching her soaps, game shows, puzzle books and shopping, as one could never have too many sweaters.

Marilyn thrived 75 years as a type I diabetic, defying all odds and doing it with grace and style. She is survived by children Mark (Connie) Hoyt of Phoenix, AZ, Robin Marsh of Dexter, MI, Scott Hoyt of Catlin, IL, and Candy (Louis) Hansen of Willow Springs, IL; by grandchildren, Cherie, Jeremy, Tyler, Ryan, Louisa, Theresa, Michael, David, John, Matthew, Abigail, Amanda and Katherine; great grandchildren David, Molly, Hayden, Lilliana, Aiden, Vanessa, Ares and Violet. Her sisters Lavonne Engelkemier of Highlands Ranch CO, Diane Boyd of Flint, MI, Melody (Terry)Deutsch of Hinsdale, IL. Sisters-in-Law Shirley (Ross) Fahling, and Sharon (Stanley) Hoyt both of Battle Creek, MI. Marilyn was preceded in death by her love Myron, son, Raymond Kit, daughters Cindy Suzan and Robin Suzan, grandson Scott, and daughter-in-law Michelle.

The Graveside Service to celebrate Marilyn's life will be held on Monday, October 25th, 1:00 pm at Fort Custer National Cemetery, 15501 Dickman Rd, Augusta, MI. The service is promptly at 1pm so please be at the staging entrance at 12:45pm. There will be a Celebration of Marilyn's Life Gathering with light refreshments immediately following at the Augusta VFW Hall, 13549 M96 Augusta, Mi 49012. Please follow this link (https://farleyestesdowdle.tributes.com/obituary/show/Myron-A.-Hoyt-96356764) to review a photo of Marilyn and Myron and to review Myron's life.

Cremation has taken place and in lieu of flowers, contributions in Marilyn's honor may be directed to the American Diabetes Association, 3940 Broadmoor Avenue, Suite 100, Grand Rapids, MI 49512 . Arrangements by Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Battle Creek, MI. Personal messages for the family may be placed here by clicking on the Memory Book tab above.