Marion Mydland

Services for Marion (Tom Gentry) Mydland, 88, of Groton will be 10:00 a.m., Monday, August 12th at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Groton. Pastor Elizabeth Johnson will officiate. Burial will follow in Groton Union Cemetery under the direction of Paetznick-Garness Funeral Chapel, Groton.

Visitation will be held at the funeral chapel from 4-8 p.m. on Sunday with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. A private family service was held on Saturday.

Marion passed away August 8, 2013 at Golden Living Center, Groton.

Marion Adeline Tom was born December 3, 1924 in rural Pierpont to John and Alma (Gunderson) Tom. Marion was baptized and confirmed at Skudesnes Lutheran Church. She attended grade school in rural Pierpont and later moved near Britton, where she completed her schooling.

Marion was a child of the Great Depression. Those lean years taught Marion how to make a meal from little and make the most of what she had. She never complained. As a young woman, Marion moved to Seattle, Washington. During WWII, she worked as a riveter at Boeing Aircraft. Her family lovingly pictured her as "Rosie the Riveter." Marion was also employed in Seattle as a telephone operator.

Marion married Raymond Joseph Gentry, Jr. on May 3, 1946. To this union two children were born, Merrye and Joe. Raymond passed away in 1949, leaving Marion to care for their two young children.

On March 1, 1952, Marion married Homer Mydland in Seattle, Washington. Two daughters were born to this union, Renee and Jill. The family moved to Groton in 1959, opening Pilgrim Cleaners. For nearly fifty years, Marion shared her gift as a seamstress. She sewed clothes for Pilgrim Cleaners, her family and many community members, including sewing hundreds of Carnival of Silver Skates costumes over the years. Marion also had a knack for sales, as she was Groton's "Avon Lady" for thirty years.

Marion's life was marked by her strong faith in Christ. She was a devoted member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church for nearly sixty years, humbly serving others by teaching Sunday school, serving in Ladies Aide, Altar Guild, and sewing quilts for those in need. She was also a member of the Groton American Legion Auxiliary and Nigeria Circle.

Marion always had a quiet, gentle spirit and used a calm voice to discipline her children. The lives of her children, grandchildren, friends and neighbors alike were impacted by her grace, compassion, and kindness. The twinkle in her dark brown eyes, laugh that shook her petite frame, and surprisingly strong hugs left anyone who knew her with a sense that her joy ran deep. She carried with her the peace of God that was apparent in how she lived her life.

Celebrating her life are her children: Merrye Dalluge of McKinney, Texas, Joe (Jean) Gentry of Brookings, Renee (Bob) Swisher of Groton, Jill (Michael) Zimmer of Downingtown, PA; 10 grandchildren: Christopher (Carrie) Dalluge, Jeremy (Laure) Dalluge, Raymond (Sara) Gentry, Olivia (Matt) Lefers, Serine (Eric) Nelson, Lindsey (Tom) Tietz, Erica (Aaron) Roberts, Travis Swisher, Joshua (Jennifer) Zimmer, and Zachary Zimmer; and 13 great-grandchildren: Alexandra and Dawson Dalluge, Jack, Megan and Emily Dalluge, Elise and Shae Lefers, Jaina Nelson, Lane, McKenna and Trey Tietz, Piper and Daniel Zimmer.
Marion also leaves behind nine siblings: Reuben Tom, Carmen Tom, Ivan Tom, Alex (Della) Tom, Jerry Tom, Roger Tom, Philip (Betty) Tom, Darlene Selle, and Judy Ewing and her sister-in-laws, Ione Connaughton, Dorothy Mydland and Lola Mydland.

Preceding her in death are her husband of 58 years, Homer Mydland, and her parents.

Honorary Casketbearers will be Members of the Groton American Legion Auxiliary and Nigeria Circle.

Casketbearers will be Aaron Roberts, Eric Nelson, Matt Lefers, Travis Swisher, Tom Tietz, Christopher Dalluge, Jeremy Dalluge, Raymond Gentry, Joshua Zimmer and Zachary Zimmer.

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