Marilyn Dikoff

A service livestream will be available below starting at the time of the service. When the service becomes live, a play button will appear in the center of the black box, click the play button to view the service. With any issues, please refresh your page and/or turn up your volume. If issues persist, please contact the funeral home.

Marilyn Mae (Schlecht) Dikoff, Bismarck, left this world for her eternal home 67 years to the day that she came into this world.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, March 13 at Century Baptist Church, Bismarck.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at Parkway Funeral Service, Bismarck. A prayer service will begin at 7 p.m.

She was born March 10, 1954, in Jamestown, ND, to Gideon and Viola Schlecht of Medina, ND.  Marilyn was raised on the family farm along with her brother, Marlowe, and sister, Maureen.  She gave her heart to the Lord early in life and was active in Faith Evangelical Church in Crystal Springs.

Marilyn married the love of her life, Curtis, at Faith Evangelical Church on June 28, 1974.   Marilyn and Curtis attended Bible college which prepared them to serve the Lord together in ministry for nearly 48 years of married life. 

Their ministry began at the Evangelical Church in Glendive, MT, moving on to pastor the Beach Evangelical Church.  In 1983, they followed their dream of converting a greyhound bus into a home and the family travelled from church to church throughout the country sharing the Good News of Christ in music concerts and kids’ crusades.  Following their time on the road, the family returned to Beach to pastor a second time at the Evangelical Church.  She loved this congregation and felt like she was “home” creating life-long relationships with these precious people.

In 1988, they were called to Bismarck to serve with Child Evangelism Fellowship a ministry that focused on two of her great loves, her faith and children.  It is hard to imagine how many lives were touched through her ministry of equipping young people to share the Good News of Jesus, the many meals she made as cook at Camp Good News and leading many children to the Savior to the glory of God.

Marilyn and Curt also pastored at the Mandan Church of the Nazarene for over a decade.  She was an equal partner in this work and impacted so many lives through sharing her story of salvation and freedom in Christ.  She greeted people into church with a hug, warm handshake and always a genuine smile.  She prayed for, served and loved this body of believers well.

Faith and family were the absolute joys of her life.  Her children and grandchildren were the center of her world.  Many times, she shared that she was fighting ALS for her “kids” which meant her grandkids.  She was an amazing wife, mom and grandma. She was intentional about her love for each one.  Attending the many sporting, school and church events were a joy to her heart.  She beamed with pride whenever any of her kids or grandkids walked through the door and she made sure to make it known she was so happy they were there.  She thought of the smallest details including making sure to have favorite foods and treats on hand. 

As ALS continued to strip away at her body, her spirit remained determined.  She had difficult moments but overcame them with prayer and faith in the Lord.  She loved her family so well that it was a privilege to serve her in her last few years of life and many precious memories were made with her husband, children, and grandchildren.  When she was no longer able to speak, her eyes said everything they needed to know. Her family will cherish the many prayers she prayed for them, her cheeky grin, the twinkle in her beautiful blue eyes, every hug, laugh and touch she gave to physically demonstrate her love for them. 

Her last days on this earth were spent surrounded by her family night and day.  Everything that needed to be said was said.  She prepared them to walk the road ahead without her physical presence and made sure that they will be ready to meet her in Heaven one day.  Heaven is sweeter knowing she is there and using her beautiful alto voice singing praises to her Savior and God.  Proverbs 31:28 “Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also” for how she has poured into their lives.  Well done.

Marilyn is survived by her husband, Curtis, Bismarck, ND; children, Jennifer (Robert) Nordin, Oxbow, SK, Jeremy (Tamara) Curtis, Bismarck, ND, Jessica (Charlie) Young, Bismarck, ND, and Julia (Steve) Singer, Bismarck, ND; grandchildren, Geoff, Shawnee and Mark Nordin, Brooke and Jase Curtis, Braeden, Dawson, Adalyn and Reagan Young, and Abigail, Cora, and Violet Singer; her mother-in-love, Dorothy Simon, Bismarck, ND; siblings: Marlowe (Tammy) Schlecht, Medina, ND, and Maureen (Don) Smith, Osnabrock, ND; brothers and sisters-in-law, Roger (Betty) Dikoff, Hermosa, SD, Nikki Weissman, Bottineau, ND, Dana (Gene) Bischke, Maricopa, AZ, Lana (Lee) Rupert, Maplewood, MN, and Lonell (Rhonda) Dikoff, Fargo, ND.  She is survived by many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. 

She was predeceased by her father and mother, Gideon and Viola Schlecht; father-in-law, Gottfried Dikoff; and four infant grandchildren.