Marilyn Jean Wegener

Marilyn Jean (Dahlke) Wegener was born on March 21, 1932 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Carl and Alta Dahlke. She was baptized on April 17, 1932 and confirmed as a Christian on May 19, 1946. She grew up in New Lisbon, Wisconsin and had six younger siblings. Following high school, Marilyn moved to Milwaukee where, in the spring of 1951, she met the love of her life, Gerald (Jerry) J. Wegener. They were married October 13, 1951 and welcomed their first child, Pamela, in November of 1952. In 1954, Jerry accepted a job transfer to Van Nuys, California, where children Cheryl, Brian, and Kent were all born.

Marilyn was a “stay-at-home” mom, who managed a busy household. Her family belonged to First Lutheran Church in Van Nuys where she was active in the Phebians, Braille Workers (producing braille bibles), Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML), and sang alto in the church choir. While Kent was in elementary school, Marilyn began work as the school secretary at First Lutheran School, a job she enjoyed until her retirement.

In 1988, Jerry and Marilyn moved to Friendly Valley Country Club in Santa Clarita and joined nearby Bethlehem Lutheran Church. During retirement they enjoyed travel with friends and family, card game nights, and volunteering at the LA Lutheran High School Thrift Shop.

Marilyn enjoyed many hobbies and activities. She learned to play the piano and French horn as a young girl, and participated in choir in later years. She loved sewing and handiwork, as it combined her love of detail and design with her desire to do worthwhile and meaningful work. Her home was always filled with music, an appreciation which was passed to her children. She loved gardening, especially flower gardening, and had the most gorgeous roses in Friendly Valley. After retiring, she eagerly took classes and became an accomplished watercolor painter.

Bible Studies at church and with Bible Study Fellowship were important to her. Marilyn also served faithfully as a prayer chain member, church office assistant and aided by setting up communion for the weekly worship services. At age 92, Marilyn moved to Town & Country Manor, in Santa Ana, California.

Marilyn had the heart of a servant who loved being busy and needed. Over the years, she sewed thousands of “Pencil Pockets” and helped to fill them with school supplies for the Shoebox Ministry of Operation Christmas Child. This service flourished even after her recent move and she sewed puppets and gift bags in addition to the nearly 1000 pencil pockets she completed in 2025. She loved being able to help friends, fellow residents and family with her sewing and mending skills.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her husband Jerry, parents Carl and Alta Dahlke, and sisters Nancy Peregrine and Dianne Harris and brother-in-law Jack Harris. Marilyn is survived by her four brothers and their spouses, Richard (Patricia) Dahlke, Robert (Barbara) Dahlke, David (Grace) Dahlke, and Dale (Linda) Dahlke. Her children are Pam and Bradley Stiles, Cheryl and Charles Freet, Brian and Karen Wegener, and Kent and Beverly Wegener. Her grandchildren are Christine (Benjamin) Meyer, Christopher (Courtney) Freet, Stephanie Stiles, Jeffrey Stiles, Cameron Wegener and Kathleen (Dalton) Standish. Her great-grandchildren include Timothy, Lucy, Cooper and Boaz Meyer, and Dayton and Georgia Freet.

Marilyn was peacefully called home to be with the Lord on January 28, 2026. In lieu of flowers, Marilyn requested that donations be made to Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri.

A memorial service will be held at Bethlehem Lutheran Church SCV (Santa Clarita Valley) on February 17, 2026 at 11am. The internment will be private.