Marilyn J. Dighton

Marilyn J. Dighton, 91, of Coggon, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, May 7, 2026, at Hiawatha Care Center. The family will greet friends from 4 - 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Central City, Iowa. A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 15, 2026, at United Parish Church in Coggon. Inurnment of Marilyn, together with her late husband, will take place at a later date at Coggon Cemetery.

Marilyn was born on September 10, 1934, in Troy Mills, Iowa, the daughter of Harrison and Ida (Keithley) Price. She attended school in Coggon. On January 18, 1953, Marilyn was united in marriage to David “Dave” Dighton at the Spring Grove Methodist Church in Troy Mills. Together, they spent time traveling during Dave’s service with the United States Army and later settled on the Dighton Family Farm in Coggon, where they raised their family.

Dave and Marilyn bought the family farm in 1970 and moved their family to the “Big House” to take over the farming operation from his parents. She devoted her life to the enduring commitment of agriculture, contributing long years of dedicated service to the Dighton family farm. She was devoted to her family and supported Dave’s many passions. Marilyn was also a member of the United Parish Church in Coggon and the Coggon American Legion Auxiliary.

In 2005, Dave and Marilyn sold the farm to their youngest daughter and her husband, Lynne and Mark Rauch, making them the fourth generation on the farm. They then moved into a new mobile home at “Brookdale Annex”, where they enjoyed the rest of their days. Family meant everything to Marilyn. There’s nothing she enjoyed more than spending a day with the kids, grandchildren and great-grandchildren on the farm. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Marilyn is survived and lovingly remembered by her five children, Debbie (Dan) Williams of Walker, Iowa, Rae Ann (Daniel) Holub of Prairieburg, Iowa, Kirk (Kim) Dighton of Manchester, Iowa, Kaylene (Jeff) Squires of Center Point, Iowa, and Lynne (Mark) Rauch of Coggon; 14 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; and siblings, Sandi Christensen of Iowa City, Iowa, Denise Short of Hiawatha, Iowa, and Doug (Barb) Price of Minnesota.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 68 years, Dave Dighton; brother, Keith (Lila) Price; sons-in-law, Monty Sackett and Dan Williams; and brothers-in-law, Jim Christensen and Ron Short.

Memorials may be directed to the family. Donations to organizations are yet to be determined.

The family would like to thank everyone at the Hiawatha Care Center and the Hospice of Mercy for their exceptional care of Marilyn during her stay.