Marilynn Leila Dey

Born Marilynn Limmer on January 28th, 1932, in Rock Valley, Iowa, to Theodore and Metta Limmer, Marilynn was the third of four children. She was raised with her three brothers, Theodore, Norbert, and Harlan, in the values of the Lutheran church—a family and values that stayed in her heart her entire life. She grew up in Madison South Dakoda, and graduated from Madison High School in 1950.

Marilynn's journey as a teacher began shortly after starting college. She switched her major to teaching, and began teaching on the side while pursuing her degree. She alternated between working in California for a year and attending college. During her spurts of employment in California, she worked a season in 1955 at Disneyland, including the grand-opening day. She spent another year working as a telephone operator in Hollywood. She graduated in 1960 from Sewards Teachers College in Nebraska.

After graduation, Marilynn returned to Anaheim, California, where she received her first calling at Zion Lutheran Church and School. While at Zion Lutheran, she found the love of her life, Earl Dey, when the two worked at the church Sunday school together. They were married in the same church they met, on July 8th, 1961. The happy couple had two girls before moving to Las Vegas in 1965. Just a few years later, a son was added to the family.

In Las Vegas, she continued her teaching career, first at Redeemer Lutheran School, and finally First Good Shepherd Lutheran School, where she started the school's kindergarten program in 1969. She taught at First Good Shepherd for over 30 years before retiring, officially ending a teaching career that spanned more than 50 years. She taught after-school programs and Sunday school after retirement. The Dey's were deeply involved in the First Good Shepherd church family, and planting mission churches and schools, including helping found Faith Lutheran High School.

She was known for her commitment to family, and her strong faith through many struggles, a faith she shared though her art. Marilynn had a sweet personality, possibly due to her deep love of sweets, against repeated doctors’ advice! She often cared for others when they were ill or dying, she opened her house to countless visitors, and she had a generous spirit, willing to help those in need. She was known by her students as a teacher who went above and beyond for her students, keeping in touch with hundreds of those former students for decades after.

Proceeded in death by her parents, her three brothers, and her husband Earl Dey, Marilynn Dey will be remembered by her three children; Dianne and Dane (Ronnow), Debbie and Tadashi (Suzuki), and William and Cynthia Dey, and six grandchildren; Katrina, Timothy, Justin, Zac, Megumi, and Arabella, and as a beloved aunt to many nephews and nieces, and dozens of grandnephews and grandnieces. And she'll be remembered by the many friends and students she blessed with her life.

She leaves behind a lifelong commitment to love, joy, education, and to Christ—a commitment she passed on to generations behind, who will follow her example and teach those values to generations to come.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, September 28th, 2024, at First Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Las Vegas. Burial will be at 1:00 p.m. at Palm Eastern Mortuary & Cemetery. A viewing will be held at Palm South Jones Mortuary on September 27th, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.