Marilyn K. Berthel, age 58, a resident of Wheaton, Illinois, passed away January 25th, 2021 at home. She was born May 31, 1962 in Dubuque, Iowa to Fabian & Lucille Duster.

Marilyn was eighth in line of the twelve Duster children and spent her childhood years at the family farm in Holy Cross, IA. She graduated from Leo High School in 1980 and from the University of Northern Iowa in 1984 where she met Terry. They were married September 1st, 1984.

All whose lives crossed paths with Marilyn's would attest to her gentle caring and attentiveness to need. She was an adoring wife, nurturing mother, patient teacher, humble servant, gracious listener, and a tender friend.

Above all Marilyn was content. Her life was a continual outpouring of the confident security of her worth in Christ.

She is survived by her husband of 36 years, Terry; her children Allison (Grant) Stuart, Kyle (Allison), Nathan & Joe Berthel; her eight grandchildren: Ben, Theo, Emmett, Judah, Phineas and a baby girl Stuart due in June and Elena & Corin Berthel; her siblings Mary (Don) Parker, Jane (Steve) Jones, Alice (Alan) Link, Mike (Heidi) Duster, Bill (Sally) Duster, Barb (Scott) Friedhoff, Paul (Marie) Duster, Brenda (John) Mosher, Brian (Audra) Duster & Keith (Jen) Duster. Marilyn is also survived by her mother-in-law, Verna Berthel, and twelve brothers & sisters-in-law.
She was preceded in death by her brother Jim (Char) Duster and her parents.

A memorial service to celebrate Marilyn's life will be held at Church of the Resurrection, 935 W Union Ave, Wheaton, IL 60187, on Friday, February 12, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. Please sign up here to attend the in-person service.  The livestream video of the service may be viewed Here

Dear Family & Friends,

We as a family wish we could see and embrace you all as we grieve the loss of our Mom and celebrate her life. Despite the restrictions of COVID, we have felt your loving presence these last few months in countless ways. The Lord has used the presence of His saints around us in a tangible way, despite the distance.

Our greatest desire is to be together in person with all who knew Mom at her funeral, but because that can't happen right now, we have something to ask of you. We would love to hear your personal memories and stories of who Mom was to you; the memories that stand out the most, but also the small ways that she was part of your life. We don't want to miss the stories that we would have been able to hear were we together at a time like this. We would love to have them in writing, so send letters to our home:
25 Circle Ave.
Wheaton, IL 60187

We will be filled by the testimony of her life through each of you; we want you to have the opportunity to remember with us. These letters will be a well for us to draw on as the days and months missing her grow long. We are thankful for each person who walks forward with us; grieving the days, yet looking to the hope of our family reunited in a kingdom with no more tears.

Allison, Kyle, Nathan, Joe