Marilyn Joy Catlett

1937 - 2026

Marilyn Catlett joined her Lord and Savior Feb. 14, 2026, at Brookestone View in Broken Bow, Neb., surrounded by family.

Marilyn Joy (Dainton) Catlett was born April 12, 1937, in Anselmo as the second of four children to Gene Paul and Wilma W. (Bailey) Dainton.

Marilyn spent her early years on a farm in the Eureka Valley in the Anselmo area. She graduated from Broken Bow High School in 1955 as a member of the National Honor Society and made lifelong friends in the Class of '55.

After high school she attended Kearney State Teachers College and then taught at one-room schools east of Berwyn in 1955 and 1956, then in the Central City area 1957 through 1959. 

On Aug. 3, 1957, she was united in marriage to James "Jim" W. Catlett at the Christian Church in Broken Bow. After living in the Central City area for a few years, the couple resumed farm life on a plot northwest of Broken Bow where they were a part of the Custer Center community for 30 years.

Marilyn continued to manage the farm following her husband's death and then in 1990 moved into Broken Bow, where she lived for the rest of her life. Marilyn also worked for Ben Franklin and JC Penney's in Broken Bow.

In 1986, she went to work for the Custer County Assessor's office until she retired in 1998. She cherished the many friends she made during those years.

Marilyn was active in the Custer Center Women's Club and served in the First Christian Church of Broken Bow for over three decades; she especially enjoyed Bible studies and teaching Vacation Bible School.

Despite continual health issues her entire life, Marilyn remained positive and joyful; her faith in the Lord never wavered. That faith and joy was an inspiration to her younger sisters and to her entire family.

She cared for her parents in their senior years and devoted her life to her family and grandchildren. We miss her and are forever grateful to her for her boundless love and strength.

Marilyn is survived by her children Larry Catlett and Lisa Shafer; five grandchildren Timothy (Rose) Catlett, Aric (Jennifer) Catlett, Talitha (Nate) Myers, Matthew Shafer and Paul Shafer; 11 great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Sharon (Ed) Tiff and Sandy (Lloyd) Burton. Marilyn welcomed her newest great-granddaughter, Dehlia Joy, shortly before her passing. She was preceded in death by her husband Jim; parents; and brother G. Paul, Jr.

Visitation is Wednesday, Feb. 18, 1-7 p.m., at Govier Brothers Mortuary. The funeral service is Thursday, Feb. 19, at 2 p.m. at Govier Brothers Chapel in Broken Bow with burial to follow at Custer Center Cemetery. A coffee reception at the the Evangelical Free Church will follow the burial.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the American Diabetes Association. Online words of remembrance may be left at www.govierbrothers.com.