Marilyn Anne (McCall) Craft was called to her heavenly home on September 17, 2025. She was born in American Falls, Idaho to Warren and Ruth (Ward) McCall on September 5, 1951, the third of five children and their only daughter. She was raised on family farms near Toppenish, Washington and Pasco, Washington, attending MacLaughlin Jr. High School and Pasco High School. Following graduation, she attended Columbia Basin College in Pasco, then pursued an AA in secretarial at Kinman Business University in Spokane, Washington. It was at Kinman where she met the love of her life, Gary Craft.
Marilyn and Gary were wed on June 16, 1973, at College View Baptist Church in her hometown of Pasco, before settling in Gary’s hometown of Boulder, Montana. Together, they built both a house and a home. Marilyn gave birth to four children: Cody Ray (d. 1973), Jeremy Sky, Holly Anne (Zahller), and Katrina Marie (Rauch). She was a loving and caring mother who never failed to attend her children’s activities, and she was a devoted and loving wife who always supported Gary in his extensive community service while pursuing her own activities and careers.
Marilyn worked as a medical secretary for the town doctors and dentists from 1973 until 1980. She was also employed as the administrative secretary for what was then the Boulder River School and Hospital, then in the elections department of the Jefferson County Clerk and Recorder’s office before working as the administrative secretary at Jefferson High School. She was the office manager at the Office of Public Instruction before working as the Deputy Clerk of District Court for the Fifth Judicial District Court. Marilyn was subsequently elected and re-elected Clerk of District Court for several terms before retiring. She also operated businesses selling Avon and Stamping Up products.
Community service was important to Marilyn and Gary. While Gary volunteered as scoutmaster to Troop 50, Marilyn helped by arranging for supplies for meetings and campouts. When Gary coached little league baseball and high school wrestling, Marilyn helped by preparing team meals. She and Gary headed up the Boulder United Methodist Youth Group and were vital members of the Boulder Kiwanis Club.
Marilyn had a deep Christian faith and lived that faith every moment of her life. She was a member of the Boulder United Methodist Church, where she co-founded the Boulder United Methodist Women, an organization devoted to helping the Boulder community as well as other communities in need worldwide. She helped establish the Crop Walk in Boulder and worked through that organization to raise funds to end hunger and poverty in the U.S. and elsewhere. Her activities through the church were always directed to serve her community and put as much good into the world as she could.
Music was a vital part of Marilyn’s life. She learned to sing while working in the garden and kitchen with her mother and never stopped. She was a member of every school choir in junior high and high school, and a member of the choir of every church she attended. Her beautiful alto voice accompanied every household chore she undertook. She also played the piano. She took lessons from childhood until adulthood and played daily. She played classical music and hymns and acted as the church pianist for the Boulder and Clancy Methodist Churches. Gary often accompanied her on guitar.
Marilyn was extraordinarily creative and enjoyed various crafts, appropriately enough. She loved sewing, gardening, and baking. She loved scrapbooking and making albums for her family and friends. She loved making cards for every occasion: birthdays, anniversaries, holidays. She was a member of the local quilting guild, gardening club, and scrapbooking group. She also enjoyed painting and drawing.
She loved spending time with her family, including her brothers, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, and their families—and perhaps particularly with her grandchildren. Every milestone and holiday came with a card and a treat, and a hug and a kiss whenever possible.
In April 2025 she learned she had an aggressive form of leukemia. She was determined to fight the disease and bravely underwent chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant. Gary remained by her side the whole time, offering boundless attention, assistance, encouragement, and companionship. She maintained her faith and her intrinsic cheerfulness during this difficult treatment and seemed to be recovering well. However, following these ordeals, she contracted an infection she could not overcome and left this world to be with her savior, her parents, and her firstborn son.
Marilyn is survived by her husband Gary, children Jeremy (Erin) Craft, Holly (Jeffrey) Zahller, and Katrina (Bradley) Rauch; brothers Allen (Betty Anne), Kenneth (Janice), David (Ruth), and Jonathan (Jody) McCall; brother-in-law Gerold (Carmen) Craft; grandchildren Annabelle Leigh and Tommy Craft; Genevieve (Jonah) Snell and Alaric Zahller; and Isaac, Elias, Daniel, and Micah Rauch; 21 nieces and nephews; dozens of cousins; and innumerable friends.
Everyone who knew Marilyn knew what a gentle, compassionate, kind, capable, and intelligent woman she was. The world is darker without her, but brighter for her having lived in it.
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
10am
Saturday October 4, 2025
St. Catherine Catholic Church- Fr. Greytak Center
214 S Elder Street
Boulder, Montana 59632
Graveside Service
Following the Funeral Service
Saturday October 4, 2025
Boulder City Cemetery
Boulder Cemetery Road
Boulder, Montana 59632
Reception
to Following the Graveside Service
Saturday October 4, 2025
St. Catherine Catholic Church- Fr. Greytak Center
214 S Elder Street
Boulder, Montana 59632
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
10am
Saturday October 4, 2025
St. Catherine Catholic Church- Fr. Greytak Center
214 S Elder Street
Boulder, Montana 59632
Graveside Service
Following the Funeral Service
Saturday October 4, 2025
Boulder City Cemetery
Boulder Cemetery Road
Boulder, Montana 59632
Reception
to Following the Graveside Service
Saturday October 4, 2025
St. Catherine Catholic Church- Fr. Greytak Center
214 S Elder Street
Boulder, Montana 59632
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Darby Harris says
We are so very saddened to hear about the Craft family’s loss. Marilyn’s kindness, gentle humor and quiet intelligence will be missed by everyone privileged enough to have met her. The world is truly less bright with her absence.
DREW DAWSON says
The Craft Family and the entire Boulder Community have lost a true gem who always helped make our community such a wonderful and welcoming place. Marilyn was a quiet, good friend to all. She would go out of her way to help friends, neighbors, and strangers. We will all miss her gentle presence, but each of us has our personal reminders to keep her light glowing brightly. My condolences to Marilyn’s many family and friends; may God bless each of you.
Nora Thackeray says
Greg and I are so saddened to hear of this wonderful Lady’s passing. She will be missed by all! I believe Heavenly Father needed her.
Carla and Joel's says
Joel and I send our condolences. Marilyn was a great lady. We have you all in our hearts.
Glen J Cuchine says
Although I haven’t seen Marilyn for many years, I well remember her cheerful smile and friendly ‘hello’ at BRS&H. The community and world are better because of Marilyn and her quiet demeanor. My condolences to Gary and her family.
Jan Anderson says
Compassion and professionalism were the hallmarks of Marilyn’s tenure as the clerk of district court. Boundless love for her family, friends and even those she never met but touched through her community and church work marked every day of her life. We were all so lucky to know her.