Marilyn J. (Dieken) Purdy, age 79, of Belvidere, Illinois, went to be with her Lord and Savior on February 10, 2019. She was born on March 12, 1939 in Freeport, Illinois to James and Marian (Frey) Dieken. Marilyn grew up in Pecatonica, Illinois with her loving parents and three siblings. After high school she studied at Swedish American School of Nursing in Rockford, IL where she graduated in 1960 as a Registered Nurse. Marilyn married the love of her life, Thomas O. Purdy, on August 26, 1960 in German Valley, Illinois where she and her family had attended church. Marilyn's greatest passion was her love for God. Her faith was the bedrock for her family and an inspiration to so many. She was a devoted member of Evangelical Covenant Church in Belvidere, IL along with her husband Tom. She loved being a nurse and counted her many years with Visiting Nurses in Rockford, IL as an honor and privilege. Marilyn found great joy in spending time with family and friends playing board games. Sewing was something Marilyn was known for. She made the most beautiful quilts for each of her children and grandchildren along with costumes, stuffed animals, lovely dolls and countless other projects. Her pure delight over the past 35 years was watching, playing and being involved with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Each one brought abundant smiles and tears of happiness to every moment of her life.

Marilyn is deeply loved and missed by her children, Beth Feldman, Lisa Hirst, Terri (Matthew) Hallstein and Todd (Tiffany) Purdy; her siblings, Shirley (Larry) Jordan, Dennis (John Salamone) Dieken and Neal (Carmel) Dieken; her grandchildren Stacy (Jerry) Stoecklein, Brian Feldman, Steven Feldman, Matthew (Adrianne) Chambers, Melanie (Michael Wakeland) Chambers, Adrianna (Jeremy) Stull, Nicholas Opie, Sara Hallstein, Shannon Hallstein, Payton Purdy and Julia Hoffman; her great-grandchildren James and Samantha Stoecklein, Kennedy and Theodore Chambers and Evelyn Wakeland-Chambers; nephews David and Jonathan Jordan; niece Jessica Arellano; along with many other cousins, nephews and nieces. Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Thomas; and In-Laws, Ralph and Gladys Purdy.

A Visitation will be at 2:00 pm with a Memorial service following at 3:00 pm, Sunday February 17, 2019 at Evangelical Covenant Church, 220 East Harrison Street, Belvidere, Illinois, 61008.  Memorials in Marilyn's name may be made out to Evangelical Covenant Church. To light a candle or share a condolence please visit www.Anderson FCS.com.