Marilyn Hatch

October 4, 2022, Marilyn Miller Hatch, 86, passed quietly from the effects of Alzheimer’s, leaving behind the recipe for Hot Water Sponge Cake, memories of her upside-down smile, and a song that will play perpetually in her children’s heads about a lonely petunia in an onion patch.

She was born April 22, 1936 upstairs in her grandmother’s narrow white house in Sharon, Idaho to Myrtle Crane Miller and Ephraim Stanley Miller (Mama and Daddy). They doted on Marilyn, and though she remained an only child until her teen years, she found companions in cousins, friends, and her multitude of dolls. A favorite doll was named Susie. Years later she named her second daughter Susan, but always called her Susie. Marilyn dreamed of the day when she’d have a house full of children.

Marilyn was raised in Malta Idaho, where her daddy worked as a foreman on a ranch before he worked in the schools. To the end of her life, she enjoyed cowboy songs and Western TV shows. Marilyn graduated from Raft River High School class of 1954, where she had participated in various clubs. After High School she went to work at Flagg Ranch located between Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park. In the fall she attended Ricks College (now BYU Idaho) in Rexburg, Idaho. It was there that she fell in love with Shirley Dean Hatch. He was back from the Korean War, but soon left for an LDS mission to the East Central States Mission. They corresponded for two years at least once per week.

While Shirley was gone, Marilyn got a job working at the Church Office Building for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City. While there, she met another young man. The infamous story was she wrote a “Dear John” to Shirley, breaking off their relationship, but then, after deeper reflection, wrote again and apologized. He accepted her apology.

Marilyn and Shirley Dean were married July 12, 1957 in the Logan, Utah temple. They lived in Driggs Idaho where their eldest, Terry Ann was born October 25, 1958. Then with Dean obtaining work in Pocatello, they moved to a small apartment there. Next Susan and Jana Mae were born October 22, 1960 and January 5, 1962. Right away the growing family moved into their home at 328 Stansbury in Pocatello. Then Stanley Dean was born January 26, 1963, Richard Miller on July 28, 1965, Amy Jo on August 11, 1966, and Marilee on December 11, 1967.

The following Spring, while on a vacation meant to go to Yellowstone, Marilyn slipped in the rain and broke her back. She was in the hospital for several weeks and home in bed for months. Stanley and Amy went to live with Granddad and Grandma Miller in Malta, and Richard and Marilee went to live in Victor with Grandpa and Grandma Hatch. Marilyn mourned greatly not being with her children. Shortly after her recovery, with all her children back home, she gave birth to Nanette September 26, 1969, and five years later, her 9th child was born, Shirley DeAn on December 12, 1974.

Marilyn was an accomplished seamstress. She began sewing her own clothes when she was 12. She sewed for her own children, especially her seven daughters incessantly, and often through the night. Recently when in the hospital for a broken hip, the nurse asked if she could get Marilyn anything, and Marilyn replied, “a sewing machine.” She was also good at knitting and crocheting and made several “picnic quilts” for her children. Marilyn also loved to read and devoured many books in her free hours after her children were in bed.

To help with the expense of a large family, Marilyn sold Avon, worked for a while in a restaurant, and finally, with most of her children grown, began baby-sitting in her home. She loved children. She served as the Primary President in her local wards several times or in the presidency. She also served as a Relief Society President and various teaching callings, but she loved working with children best. In her last couple of years, she became very attached to her “babies” (porcelain dolls saved from her childhood).

From May 1993 to November 1995, Marilyn and Dean served a mission to the Connecticut, Hartford Mission. After their return, they helped build a large family building (called “The Lodge”) in Victor, then moved into the 2nd floor apartment. With the death of Marilyn’s Daddy, her mother came to live with them for several years. Her children and grandchildren would gather to Victor for holidays and as individual families throughout the year.

In 2004, they sold the home in Victor and went on a mission to the Philippines from December 2004-June 2006. Dean and Marilyn enjoyed their time in a new culture far from home, but she missed her family and upon their return, they moved back to Pocatello. On November 22, 2020, Shirley Dean died. Marilyn went to live with Amy for an extended stay. With the continued progression of her Alzheimer’s disease, it became necessary to move her back to Pocatello under specialized care. It was at the Gables Memory Care Facility that she spent her final days.

Marilyn goes to be with her husband, Shirley Dean Hatch, and her Mama and Daddy. She is also preceded in death by her sister, Jeanmarie, bother-in-law, Narvel Hall, sister-in-law, Noreen and her husband, Dudley Roberts, son-in-law, Robert Parkinson, and Matthew Ted Anderson. Marilyn is survived by her children and their spouses, Terry (Les) Holden, Susan (Mark) Dayley, Jana, Stanley (Cathy Green), Richard (Tami Christensen), Amy (Brent) Burton, Marilee, Nanette (Destry) Pollard, and Shirley (Craig) Reynolds, and by 49 grandchildren, and to date, 42 great-grandchildren.

Marilyn devoted her life to serving her family and her Savior, Jesus Christ. Her legacy lives with us. We love you, Mom.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 15, 2022 at 11 am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Portneuf building, 8200 W. Portneuf Road, Pocatello, Idaho. A webcasting of the service will be available. A viewing will be held prior to the services from 10 am to 10:45 am also at the church.

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