Marilyn Ottinger Benton

Marilyn was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on March 25, 1932, the daughter of Martin Lindskog Ottinger and Ruby Evelyn Jensen Ottinger. Shortly after she was born, the family moved to Jerome, Idaho where Marilyn spent her childhood. Marilyn loved growing up in the small town of Jerome and reminisced about it often. When she was in high school the family moved back to Salt Lake where Marilyn attended and graduated from East High School. Later, while attending the University of Utah, Marilyn met her future husband Paul Edison Benton. They soon married and started a family. Together Paul and Marilyn built a home in Salt Lake designed by Marilyn where they raised their four children. Marilyn was a devoted wife and mother and her family meant the world to her. When her children married and became parents themselves, Marilyn lavished all of her maternal devotion on her grandchildren. She loved them all very much and they were her greatest pride and joy. Marilyn had a knack for storytelling and for making everyone she met feel special and loved. Her quick wit and tender heart will be missed by all who knew her.

When their children were young the family joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Marilyn had a strong testimony of her savior Jesus Christ and was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served the Church in many capacities.

Paul and Marilyn enjoyed life and traveled around the world, including all fifty U.S. states. But as much as she loved to travel, Marilyn always enjoyed coming home best.

Marilyn is preceded in death by her husband Paul, and grandson Anthony Martin. She is survived by her sister Suzanne Helbling (Robert, deceased), and children, Steven Benton (Ann), Richard Benton (Jil), Jane Jones (Grant), and Lyn Martin (Constantin), 12 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.

Due to COVID-19 concerns, the family elected to have a small, private service for Mom.

The family is extremely grateful for the excellent care that was given to our Mother in the last year of her life by Spring Gardens of Holladay and Bristol Hospice Care.