Marilyn Kay Dowell was born August 7, 1938 to Ercell Dale and Eunice Laura (Reeves) Tebow. She was born in St. Mary’s Hospital in Enid, Oklahoma but they lived in Pond Creek, Oklahoma where her father was a Pharmacist and owner of Tebow Drug and her mother was a school teacher. Marilyn made good grades, and when she wasn’t in school her time was spent laughing with friends. Wherever she lived, she made lifelong friends. She met Steve Richard Dowell at a dance in 1955 when Steve was in the Army, and it was love at first sight. He then moved to Hood River, Oregon, where he had accepted a job as an Extension Agent. They wrote many letters to each other and Steve soon proposed. They had a large wedding June 24, 1956 at the First Christian Church in Pond Creek.

They lived in Hood River for a few years where their first daughter, Debbie Rochelle, was born. They then moved to Kathmandu, Nepal, in 1960 where Steve worked for the U.S. Agency for International Development. Marilyn enjoyed her time in Nepal as she made many friends from many countries there.

Their son, Floyd Ercell, was born while they lived in Nepal. They then moved to Fairfax, Oklahoma, in 1963 where Steve was an Associate Extension Agent where their second daughter, Ardith Lynn, was born. Marilyn had missed being so far from her folks and she welcomed this move back to the U.S. Steve then accepted a job as a County Extension Director in Arnett, Oklahoma, where they moved in 1968. Finally, in 1970 they moved to Lamont where they raised hogs, ran a custom hay hauling business, and farmed. Marilyn liked being back around her friends from her childhood and only a few miles from her parents. Many Friday and Saturday evenings were spent with friends playing card games. Marilyn was a fulltime housewife and mother until her kids were grown.

She then worked some parttime jobs at the local grocery and convenience stores, and at the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Site. Marilyn was a member at the Lamont First Christian Church. She was in church every Sunday and loved to sing and visit with her friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sister Carole Lee McCart, daughter Rochelle Severe, and Grandson Michael Downing. She is survived by her children Ardith and husband Chico Daniel, Ponca City, and Floyd and wife Gayle Dowell, Manhattan, Kansas; 9 Grandchildren, Kellen Downing, Medford, Crystal Reynolds, Caldwell, Kansas, Laura Reynolds, Newton, Kansas, Reed Reynolds, Lamont, Jeremy Pirtle, Enid, Megan Morgan, Medford, T.J. Shriver, Medford, Kayla Naughton, Escondido, California, and Christine Dowell, Lawrence, Kansas; and 9 Great-grandchildren.

Marilyn loved her grandkids and seldom missed any of their games, although she knew nothing about sports and could never find the ball on the field or court at any time!

Marilyn’s dementia started becoming evident about 10 years ago and it has been a long goodbye since then. Through all stages of life and of her dementia Mom always loved to laugh.

Due to COVID concerns the memorial service will be limited to immediate family. The service may be viewed on the Lamont First Christian Church Facebook live. Burial will be at the Lamont Cemetery under the direction of Wilson Funeral Home. Memorials can be made to the Lamont Fire Department and Pond Creek E.M.S.

paid obituary