Marla Jean Hackett

Marla Jean Hackett, 79, of Bismarck, passed away at 10:55 a.m. Monday, November 13, 2006 at her home. Marla was born on December 30, 1926 in Danville, the daughter of Paul W. and Rachel R. (Bump) Smail. She was adopted by Zennie and Elsie Cooley Sisk. She married Ray Monroe Hackett, previously of Charleston, Illinois, on January 26, 1944 in Danville. He preceded her in death on June 15, 1977. She is survived by her one daughter- Shirley (Phillip) Hollingsworth of Rosebud, Texas; two sons- Paul D. (Elza) Hackett of Stateline, Indiana and Rex (Janie) Hackett of Georgetown; one half-sister- Beverly Kay of Fenton, Michigan; nine grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, adoptive parents, one sister- Marcella Stephenson, and an infant half-sister- Betty Thoma. Marla had previously worked at Grogan Photo, Lakeview Medical Hospital and General Motors, during WWII in Chicago. She also worked at Berkleys in Danville and the Ben Franklin Store in La Porte, Texas, where she managed the fabric department. She also worked at the Clean Sweep Cleaning Service as a crew leader in Danville. She enjoyed her grandchildren and was very proud that Lorne served during Desert Storm and both Travis and Darren served in Operation Iraqi Freedom. She enjoyed going to Senior Singles at her church, as well as going to flea markets and rummage sales. She was an avid reader, traveling throughout the world through books. She was a member of the Northside Church of Christ in Bismarck. She enjoyed being a member of the Illiana Genealogical Society and Newell Township Genealogical Society. She was a direct descendant of one of the founding families of Newell Township. She also enjoyed being part of the Georgetown Fair Family. A Celebration of the life of Marla Jean Hackett will be at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, November 16, 2006 at the Northside Church of Christ in Bismarck, with Pastors Jim Russell and Jimmy Hodges officiating. Visitation will be from 2:30 " 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Church in Bismarck. Burial will be at Gundy Cemetery in Bismarck. Memorials may be made to the Northside Church of Christ in Bismarck. Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center is in charge of arrangements. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family at: www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.