Events
Marilyn Blanche Hug Whitaker was the fourth child born to Joseph Fred and Louise Blumenstein Hug on September 19, 1933, in St. Louis, Missouri. She was raised in East St. Louis, Illinois. As a teenager she moved to Utah to live with her older sister Virginia. Shortly afterwards, she was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. During high school, she attended a seminary class on the Book of Mormon taught by Marion D. Hanks where she gained a testimony of the truthfulness of that book.
After working as a secretary for a few years, and also attending Brigham Young University for a year, Marilyn was called to serve as a missionary in the Northern Far East Mission for two years. Upon her return she continued her secretarial work, this time in the office of President Stephen L. Richards, then President N. Eldon Tanner. During a gathering of missionaries who had served in the Northern Far East Mission, she became reacquainted with William Whitaker. They were married August 25, 1959, in the Salt Lake Temple, moving to Provo where Bill was a student and Marilyn worked for the Church Educational System, this time her bosses included Boyd K. Packer and Gordon B. Hinckley. One year later, Bill graduated from Brigham Young University and their first son, Wayne, was born.
Accepting a job with Bank of America, the small family moved to Vallejo, California, where sons Kevin and Greg were born. They were transferred to Okinawa, Japan, for four years before returning to the San Francisco area. After a year there, it was off to Korea for four years, where daughter Julie was born. Returning to the United States, the family lived in Houston for a while, then Bill switched employers and they moved back to California, settling in Danville. After another few years, it was off to Bellevue, Washington.
Marilyn enjoyed raising a family, serving in the church, hosting dinner parties, sewing and cross-stitching beautiful gifts, and collecting gold charms for her charm bracelet from around the world. As the children grew older, she took a part-time job as an administrative assistant at Amphenol, and used those earnings to pay for their sons' missions. After retiring, she and Bill served a mission in the Seattle Mission office, and then bought a house in Draper, Utah, to be closer to family.
They continued to enjoy traveling, spending a month in Hawaii each winter for many years, and going on various cruises and land tours, until health issues forced them to slow down. They loved living close to their young adult grandchildren who came to Utah for school and appreciated the opportunity to develop close relationships with them.
Marilyn will be remembered for her strong determination, her excellent work ethic, her beautiful example of Christian living, and her loyalty and love for her family and friends.
She leaves behind her husband of 65 years, William; 4 children - Wayne (Rebecca) of Wellington, Florida, Kevin (Lori) of Draper, Utah, Greg (Vicki) of Olathe, Kansas, and Julie (Jeff) Christensen of Sandy, Utah; 19 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren, along with her sister Helen Wilson.
She was predeceased by her father, Joseph Hug; stepfather, William Pulley; mother, Louise Blumenstein Hug Pulley; sisters, Virginia Sharp and Anna Lou Patillo; brothers, Joseph Hug and Jon Hug.
A viewing will be held on Wednesday, January 15, from 11:00-11:45 AM at the Draper 9th Ward, 12353 S 600 E, Draper, UT. The funeral will follow at the same location at 12:00 PM. The service will be livestreamed via Zoom and can be accessed by clicking the "Watch Services" button above. Interment will take place at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 E Dimple Dell Road (10600 S), Sandy, UT.
Guestbook/Condolences
Memories I have of my Aunt Marilyn and your mom. I remember a story my mother told of how she always took care of her as a child. Mom was alone allot being the baby and their father had left them early on in my moms childhood. Your mom made sure my mom had nice new clothes to wear and I imagine she also made sure my mom went to church and did the right things. I loved going to their home in Bellevue, we live in Portland and was such an adventure and I remember how nice having the gospel in the home felt. Your parents were at the important gospel events in my life. My Mission farewell, they gave me Danish Kroner to take with me so I had some cash when I first landed in Denmark. When I was sealed in the temple to my husband, they, besides my mom, were my only family there to be in the temple with me.
I regret not spending more time with her and your father as I was growing up to lean on their strength and testimony of the Gospel Of Jesus Christ. I have memories in my mind of my three aunts will always be, how well put together they were when they went out. No matter where they were going! It is funny how my mother is the complete opposite in some ways to them. I pray your memories of your mom will comfort you and remember how much she was loved.
Brenda