Marilyn Raker
Marilyn Raker, 80, the wife of the Rev. William “Bill” Raker, a retired Elder in the BWC, died Sept. 5, 2018 after a long illness of dementia and related ailments. A Memorial Service was held Sept. 15, at Towson UMC with the Rev. Mark Johnson officiating. Inurnment was in the Towson columbarium.
Marilyn Joyce Dykstra was born Aug. 25, 1938, to Howard and Alberta Dykstra in Dayton, Ohio. She attended several primary schools near Dayton and graduated from a public high school in the area. She had an associate’s degree from Indiana Central College, now Indianapolis University.
She and William Raker married in 1960.
She assisted her husband in the churches he served; EUB churches in Pennsylvania, the Columbia Circuit, 1960-62 and Bellefonte-Grace, 1962-65. They then moved to Olive Branch in Baltimore, 1965-70; Rodgers Forge UMC 1970-76; Fallston Charge, 1976-85; Oxon Hill, 1985-92 and Arnolia in Baltimore, 1992-2000 when he retired. After retirement, he served for 12 years as an associate at Towson UMC and she became an active member.
She was in the church choirs of the churches her husband served and sang in the Towson choir until her illness made it impossible. She was a longtime member of the United Methodist Women. She loved small children and often kept the church nursery. One former church member wrote, “From the time that my girls were babies, she cared for them in the nursery at church.”
Survivors include her husband of 58 years; two sons: Brian W. Raker and his wife Katey; and Mark D. Raker and his wife Sandra; and two grandchildren. A sister, Jean Louise Geer, also survives.
Condolences may be sent to Rev. William L. Raker, 8820 Walther Blvd. #4416, Baltimore, MD 21234.
Memorial donations may be sent to the Red Bird Mission, Inc, 70 Queensdale Center, Beverly, KY 40913-9607.