Marina Eiler

Marina Eiler, 79, of O'Neill, died Monday, March 3, 2025 at her home in O'Neill.

Visitation was held Friday, March 7, 2025 at Word of Life Christian Center in O'Neill.

A celebration of life service was held Friday, March 7, 2025 at the Christian center in O'Neill. Jonathan Loutzenhiser officiated.

A private burial will be held at a later date in the O' Neill Cemetery in O'Neill.

Memorials may be made to the family for future designation.

Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill is in charge of the arrangements.

Marina was born to Richard and Betty Pinkerman-Christensen on Nov. 1st, 1945 in Lynch. She was soon followed by two brothers and three sisters. She grew up between the Monowi and Verdel area. She loved to spend her time with her cousins Diane Sinclair and Tootie Reynoldson. Most of her early schooling was in an old school house in Monowi. Her high school years were in Lynch, where she graduated and met Sharon "Toots" Hrbek. Her senior year she was homecoming queen.

On May 2nd, 1964 she married her first love Jerald "Red" Tichy. They lived in Verdigre after they married. She helped take care of his little brothers and sisters. On April 13th, 1966 Red passed away from an aneurysm.  

She moved back to Verdel and on June 23rd, 1967 married Dale Eiler. To that union they had three children  Dana, Wendy and Andrew. They lived shortly in Verdel, but in 1978 they moved to Inman.  

There she was a homemaker, babysitter and a cowgirl for a local ranch. She loved getting up early to go help check on the cows or go on a cattle drive, it was one of the best times of her life. She had a special fondness for horses. She loved to go horseback riding with friends and family. She spent many hours on horseback and was a natural with them. If you had a question about horses, she was the woman to ask.

In 1996 she moved to O'Neill and met Dennis Barret. She worked with region IV for a few years. In 2001 she invested in the Good Timin' Bar. She owned and successfully ran it for 18 years; in 2019 she finally retired and sold it. Dennis and Marina were together for 22 years. Dennis passed away April 23 of 2018.

Marina was a lover of nature; you would often find her tinkering in her yard or hanging out on her deck. She loved her plants, feeding her squirrels and birds and all things gardening. One of her favorite things was to sit on her deck and chit chat with her friends and family whom she loved dearly. She was a fun and loving (and sometimes ornery) mother, grandmother and friend to many, appreciated for her easygoing attitude. She loved animals, especially her dog Loki who went everywhere with her; grocery stores, restaurants and road trips; there wasn't anywhere she didn't take him.

She is very loved and she will be missed. 

Marina is survived by her three children and their families,Dana (Kami) Eiler of Lincoln, and grandchildren Derrik (Clare), Contessa, Ryker, Collin (Brianna) and Brock Eiler, and great-grandchildren Aria, Belle and Carter; Wendy Eiler of O'Neill, and grandchildren Shane and Shawn Strong; and Andrew Eiler of Lincoln; one sister-in-law Charlotte Christensen; one former brother-in-law Gary Jackson; two former sisters-in-law Jeanie Kotrous and Suzy Eiler Curtis; many nieces and nephews; and more that loved her.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers Dick and Larry; three sisters Donna, Debbie and Darla Christensen; one sister-in-law Dee; husband Jerald "Red" Tichy; and longtime partner Dennis Barrett.