Marilyn Joanne Orton

HAWARDEN, IOWA ~ Marilyn Joanne Orton, 93, of Hawarden, Iowa, died on Sunday, April 27, 2025, at Mica Hill Estates in Hawarden.

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, June 7, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Hawarden with Pastor Barb Joy officiating. The family will greet friends during a luncheon after the service at the church. The Porter Funeral Home in Hawarden is assisting the family. Condolences may be sent to www.porterfuneralhomes.com.

In honor of Marilyn, memorial donations may be directed to the Hawarden Regional Healthcare.

Marilyn Joanne Orton was born May 2, 1931, in Beresford, South Dakota, the daughter of Eugene and Dora (Nissen) Lambertson. She graduated from Hawarden High School in 1949. She married John Orton on October 7, 1950, at the United Methodist Church in Ireton, Iowa. The couple began their life together in Hawarden, Iowa and then they moved to a farm southeast of Hawarden. Marilyn worked at a variety of places in Hawarden, including the Dry Cleaners, the Shoe Store, the Bakery, and later at the Smart Shop. She and John moved off the farm and into Mica Hill Estates in 2023.

Marilyn was a member of the Hawarden United Methodist Church, where she and John attended nearly every Sunday, sitting in their pew in the center section. She was a member of the “49-ers” which was made up of members of her graduating class of 1949. Marilyn and John enjoyed dancing and being with their friends on the dance floor. She volunteered at the Hawarden Thrift Shop for over 20 years. Marilyn was passionate about writing in her diary everyday, recording the significant events of the day. She and John would start each morning with a cup of coffee and review the past events found in her diary. Marilyn received great satisfaction from answering questions or settling disputes based on the information found in the diary! She was faithful in her writing, including the day that she passed away.

Survivors include her 4 children, Dennis Orton of Mead, Colorado, Lynn (Ralph) Allbee of Eldora, Iowa, Dawn (Al) Malone of Worthington, Ohio, and Keaven (Trish Kunkel) Orton of Hawarden, Iowa; 4 grandchildren; 4 step grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren, and 3 step great-grandchildren; and her brother, Harry Lambertson and his wife Rozine of Hays, Kansas.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her husband, John Orton; infant son, Steven; mother, Dora Lambertson; parents-in-law, John and Marie Orton; 2 sisters; 3 sisters-in-law; and 5 brothers-in-law.