Marilyn G. Hundertmark

Marilyn Grace (Solbeck) Hundertmark was born September 13, 1927, at the farm home of George and Grace (Day) Solbeck in Delana Township, Rutland, Iowa. She attended North Maple Grove Country School through eighth grade, finishing as salutatorian in the county. She graduated from Humboldt High School with the class of 1945 where she received her Normal Training Certificate.


Marilyn taught two years at Rural School Delana No. 8 and then went to work for Humboldt County Superintendent Frances Messer. She later worked in the physician’s office of Dr. Asa Arent.


On May 6, 1951, she married Norval Hundertmark, and from this union four children were born. The family farmed in Rutland, a quarter mile from where Marilyn was born and raised, until moving to Humboldt in 1979. During the farm years, Marilyn especially enjoyed sewing, refinishing furniture, gardening, canning, cooking and baking for her family.


Marilyn was a lifetime member of the Humboldt United Methodist Church, starting in the Cradle Roll Department. Decades later, she taught Sunday School and served in the Women’s Society as a member of Mary Circle and the WAF Committee.


As a teenager, Marilyn was active in 4-H — the Rutland Lucky Stars — culminating her 10 years of membership by winning a trip to 4-H Club Congress in Chicago, and being selected as one of four Iowans to attend National 4-H Camp in Washington, D.C. Years later she served as a leader for the same club when her children were involved and mentored many young girls in the Rutland area. Her 4-H achievements over the decades were recognized in 2014 when she was inducted into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame at the Iowa State Fair.


After moving to Humboldt, Marilyn took up genealogy and creative writing as her new passions. Marilyn was a charter member of the Humboldt County Genealogical Society. She compiled original genealogies of her families, researched local history in response to queries, documented historic barns, edited the society newsletter, produced the annual calendar, and helped develop the genealogy section at the Humboldt Public Library. She attended writing class and enjoyed writing historical articles for Humboldt Now! magazine.


In 2014, Marilyn moved to Fort Dodge and became part of the community at Friendship Haven, where she died peacefully on February 6 at age 93. Her family and friends will remember her best for her positive approach to life, quick smile, hearty laugh, and ready wit.

Marilyn is survived by her sister Anita (Solbeck) Hinners of Des Moines, children David (Sue) Hundertmark of Rutland, Bruce (Deb) Hundertmark of Sioux City, Jane Hundertmark of San Francisco, and Tom (Steph) Hundertmark of Rutland. Grandchildren: Casey (Dustin) Villhauer, Tracy (Marvin) Lindquist, Cody (Britta) Hundertmark, Cale Hundertmark, and Evan Hundertmark. Eight great-grandchildren: Charlie, Holland, Maren, Lincoln, Calvin, Henry, Cole, and Blair.


She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Norval Hundertmark, brother Robert Solbeck, and sister Donna Olson.


Funeral services for immediate family will be held at Faith United Methodist Church on Friday, February 12, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. The family invites others to watch the funeral live on the Facebook page of the Mason-Lindhart Funeral Home. Burial will be in Union Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to UnityPoint Hospice.