Marilyn Jean Bunten

Marilyn Jean Bunten, 76, longtime Moses Lake resident, passed away on Saturday, July 5, 2008, at Kootenai Medical Center in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

Marilyn Jean Bunten was born Aug. 24, 1931, in Paxton, Ill. She graduated in 1949 from Paxton High School. In 1956 she married the love of her life, Richard Bunten. Richard and Marilyn with their two children Linda and Larry were the typical military family moving from base to base. From 1967 to 1969 she lived in Leiston, England, at Bentwaters Air force base, then she moved to England Air Force base in Louisiana and on to Travis Air Force Base in California. In 1971 she and her family moved to Moses Lake where they built their family home out in Mae Valley.

She loved living in Mae Valley and raised cattle for many years. Marilyn had extreme love and compassion for animals of all kinds. Dr. Chamberlain often referred to her as the witch doctor of Mae Valley. She was well known for her home remedies. There wasn't an animal she wouldn't nurse to health that didn't live until they passed of old age. One of her most famous pets was Ooch the 2,500-pound steer she nursed from a sickly calf.

Marilyn had many friends and neighbors she held close to her heart. She always had an open ear and shoulder to cry on with her kind and wise words to offer. She had a strong faith in her Lord and Savior and knew with his guidance everything would be all right.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her father, W. Reuben Shilts, her mother, Lydia Pufahl, and her husband, Richard Bunten.

Marilyn is survived by her daughter, Linda Tracy and granddaughter Devon Tracy of San Francisco, Calif., her son Larry Bunten (spouse Brandi and daughter Addy Elketami), brothers Ron Pufahl of Aurora, Ill, Alan Pufahl of Concord, Calif, Bill Pufahl of Crescent City, Ill., Reuben Shilts of Paxton, Ill., Steve Shilts of Sagebrook, Ill., and Jimmy Shilts of Paxton Ill.

A memorial service will be held Thursday, July 17, at noon at Emmanuel Baptist Church at 516 E. Nelson Road, Moses Lake, with Pastor Gene White officiating. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Marilyn's name to the Moses Lake Grant County Humane Society at 6725 Randolph Rd., Moses Lake, WA 98837.

Arrangements are in care of Kayser's Chapel and Crematory. Please leave a note for the family or sign the guest book at www.kayserschapel.com.