Marilyn Miller Helberg White, 79 of Thayne, Wyoming passed away peacefully of natural causes at the South Lincoln Nursing Center in Kemmerer, Wyoming on May 3, 2024. Our deepest gratitude is extended to the Care Center for the loving care Marilyn received the past 2 1/2 years and we especially acknowledge Jeni King and staff who always had a great report and connection with Marilyn.
Marilyn is survived by her daughter Jildeen (Brian) of Ogden, Utah; a sister Danette Ellison (George) VanBuren, Arkansas; a brother, Scott Miller (Cindy) of Kemmerer, Wyoming, four grandchildren; two great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews and their children and grandchildren.
Marilyn was born May 10, 1944 in Afton, Wyoming. She was the first child of Gordon and Laura Adean Miller. Her first years were spent on the old Miller Ranch in Tygee, Idaho. The family then moved to Thatcher, Idaho. After the family moved back to the ranch, Marilyn lived with Grandma Parsons in Afton because it was difficult and sometimes impossible to get to Auburn or Afton from the Miller ranch in Tygee. The family moved from Tygee to Afton in 1952. Marilyn graduated from Star Valley High School in 1962 and moved to Denver, Colorado for work. While there, she met Glen Helberg, who was in the US Air Force. They were married and moved to Minnesota. Marilyn came home to Afton, where their daughter Jjildeen was born. When Marilyn and Glen divorced, Marilyn and Jildeen moved back to Odgen, Utah.
Marilyn was an exceptional woman. She reinvented herself over and over as a sole parent. She did everything from selling Tupperware to learning how to make porcelain and gold dental crowns and bridges for Tanner Dental, doing taxes and working for the Utah State Tax Division.
She could make a great meal out of a few ingredients and always had a pantry so she was prepared when money didn't stretch the whole month. Desserts were her forte and she always brought a "Smelly" cake or a great dessert to fish camp and to every family event, dinner, picnic or reunion. She was always up for a game of pinochle and wsa always ready to help Grandma and Grandpa put a puzzle together on the dining room table. She loved basketball, especially the Utah Jazz and encouraged the whole family to become part of her basketball passion. Many evenings were spent watching Stockton, Malone and Hornasek and yelling at the TV! It was great fun and we all enjoyed those years together! Her next sports passion wsa when she became involved in the Utah Olympics. She thouroughly enjoyed the Olympics being in Utah. She also loved jewelry and collected and made many pairs of earrings and sold them as well as gifted them. She was an expert crocheter and blankets weren't a challenge. She made doilies, beautiful intricate complicated doilies. She was deeply involved in politics and became a strong supporter of the American Constituition and a conservative that was always ready for a discussion of where the government had gone and where we were heading as a nation. Marilyn was an avid listener of Bob Salter and always ready for discourse with her family and friends. Marilyn always had a cat or two! When her and Gary married, he brought Snoopy a Siamese cat into the mix. Her, Jil and the cats all lived in a huge apartment for so many, many years in North Ogden a few blocks from her parents' place.
Marilyn was finally able to purchase a home for her and Jil in Odgen on 9th Street. She had her Dad's help in creating a garden as well as receiving bounty from their garden in NOrth Odgen. Marilyn was a very attentive daughter to her parents as they aged in North Ogden and did everything she could to make their lives easier. Marilyn became involved in Parents Without Partners where she eventually met Gary White. They were married and Marilyn commuted to Salt Lake for many years to work at the Utah State Tax office. Eventually her and Gary purchased a home in Wesst Valley when the daily commute became too hard for Marilyn. When both her and Gary decided they had enough of hte city life they purchased a mobile home and moved back to Star Valley. Marilyn came home to old friends, some extended family and newly made friends. Both enjoyed going for drives around the Valley where she shared memories with Gary. They also came to fish camp up Grey's River, where her "Smelly" desserts and her laughter were always welcome around the campfire.
Marilyn was always to the point and didn't mince words with anyone. To be fair, some of the kids were always a bit "scared" of her (a healthy respect) because she didn't put up with guff!
Marilyn made the best of every situation and was an example of strength to sole parents everywhere. We all miss her fiercely! We know she's celebrating her reunion with Gary, Uncle Doug, Grandpa and Grandma.
