Marilyn Cram Cutler

Marilyn Cram was born April 4, 1917, to parents, Frederick and Mary Lynn Cram.  She attended Neodesha Public Schools and graduated from Neodesha High School in 1935.  During her school years, she was active in all of the music programs, playing the violin and piano, and singing in the choirs.  After graduating, she attended Cottey College in Nevada, Missouri, but her college career was cut short when she was called home to work in the family business, the B&C Hatchery co-managed by her father, Fred, and brother, Gene.

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In 1942, she married Ben Cutler from Independence, who had recently joined the army.  After their marriage, Ben was sent overseas to serve in the European Campaign, and while serving, was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant.  Ben was killed in April 1945.  While Ben was serving in Europe, Marilyn delivered a son, Ben Junior, in September 1944.  Marilyn continued working at the family business and took on the extra job of raising a mischievous son.  She was a great mom and passed her love of cooking and music on to her son.  Ben Junior attended public schools in Neodesha and graduated in 1962.  He became a Jayhawk and graduated from the University of Kansas in 1966.

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While Ben, Jr. was attending KU, Marilyn married Don Gentry, also a Neodesha native.  Don was a Command Sergeant Major in the army and while they were married, they had tours of duty in Italy and Germany, which allowed Marilyn to travel extensively throughout Europe enjoying the arts she so loved.  Don retired from the military in the early '70s and he and Marilyn returned to Neodesha to live on East Main Street.  Marilyn continued to pursue her love of music, cooking, and gardening during their retirement years.  She passed away in 1983.  Marilyn was devoted to Neodesha and her memory continues to live in the town she so loved.