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Marilyn Jean Getzlaff Duke was born on September 17, 1934 in Bottineau, ND  to parents Walter F. Getzlaff and Lillian Neubaur Getzlaff. Marilyn left this physical earth, Sunday, December 1, 2019 following a lengthy battle with dementia/alzheimers disease. She was surrounded by her two daughters and her faithful companion, Prissy.

 Marilyn attended Bottineau County School  and  was a graduate from Willow City, ND. Upon graduation from high school, Marilyn moved to Seattle, WA to make her home.  She was hired by Boeing Airlines and worked in the classified blue print department.

 Marilyn met AC  (Cecil) Duke while in Seattle.  He was serving  aboard the USS Savage and stationed in San Diego. “Duke” and Marilyn were married March 21, 1958. Together, they shared 47 years of marriage, three children , two grandchildren and one great grandchild.

 Marilyn was a devoted wife and mother. The needs of her family always came first. During her children’s younger years, she made two trips daily to Americus, GA to help provide her children with a higher education. The second year of commuting, Marilyn returned to school herself and obtained her certificate of completion in Cosmetology from South Georgia Technical College.

 Marilyn worked a number of years at Cordele Uniform in the inspection department. During economic  hardships, the plant was shut down in Cordele and Marilyn found employment at Crisp County Hospital in the Data Entry Department.  Marilyn found her true calling when she was hired for the Instructor position for the 2-3 year old class at First Baptist Child Development Center.  Miss Marilyn loved every single child that came through her class.  Marilyn dedicated a total of 26.5 years to First Baptist Child Development Center.  Marilyn  continued her working with children by six years  employment with First Baptist Church Nursery.  A number of those years over lapped with her employment at  1st Baptist CDC. Marilyn worked  into her 70’s.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Lillian Getzlaff, her husband of 47 years, AC (Cecil) Duke, brothers  Clarence Getzlaff, Darwin Getzlaff, Al  Getzlaff and Darrel Getzlaff. sisters  Dorothy Getzlaff, Gloria Daly, Cora Giese. She is survived by her children Cecil (Nancy) Duke , TyTy, GA, {Peanut) Lisa Southwell, Cordele, GA and Bridget Adkins-Martin, Rochelle, GA., her Grand Children, Kansas N. Adkins, Seville, GA, Dellard S. Adkins, Cordele, GA and great grandchildren Tristyn L Layfield, Rochelle, GA  and Skyler E. Adkins, Cordele, GA.  Marilyn is also survived by brothers: Virgil Getzlaff, Norman Getzlaff, Myron Getzlaff and sisters Delvina (Tootie) Wyman and Marlys Bengard along with numerous nieces and nephews.

 No service will be held but the family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Thursday, December 5, 2019 in the Rose Room of Rainey Family Funeral services.

 The family ask that memorials be made to the Elizabeth Duke Redmond Scholarship Fund at South Georgia Technical College Foundation, P.O. Box 6102, Americus, GA 31709 or to the Alzheimers Association, 225 East 2nd Street, Tifton, GA 31794.

 The family wishes to express their sincere heartfelt gratitude to Reflections Hospice for their excellent care, medical knowledge and unwavering support. Your compassion surpassed any and all expectations.  Thank you for keeping us grounded when we felt there were none beneath us.

 Arrangements are by Rainey Family Funeral Services. An online guest register is available at www.raineyfuneral.com.