Marilyn Dewald: 1938-2023
Marilyn Adell Johnson Dewald, 85, was born April 30, 1938 at Lake Preston, S.D., the daughter of Erling and Wilma (Nelson) Johnson, and passed away on Aug. 17, 2023 at Oakview Terrace in Freeman, S.D.
Marilyn was baptized on May 30, 1938 at North Preston Lutheran Church, Lake Preston, and confirmed on April 4, 1952 at West Bethany Lutheran Church, Erwin, S.D. Marilyn attended elementary and high school at Erwin, from which she graduated. She then attended South Dakota State University and worked there as a secretary until graduating. Marilyn met Arden Dewald of Freeman, S.D. at a social sponsored by Lutheran Campus Ministries at SDSU. They were married June 21, 1958 in Brookings, S.D., and Freeman was their home for the next 65 years. The marriage was blessed with one daughter, Lori; one son, Steve; and later daughter-in-law Sheila; and grandchildren Michael and Hallie. Michael and Hallie brought so much happiness into her life; they were her pride and joy. Marilyn looked forward to spending winters in Tulsa, Okla., so she could spend more time with them and tickle their feet.
Marilyn was employed as a secretary for the law office of attorney William Tschetter in Freeman for 12 years until his death. After which time she began a 30-plus year career as the administrative secretary to the superintendent and principal at Freeman Junior-Senior High School. Marilyn enjoyed her association with people and her friends.
Marilyn is survived by Dr. Lori Dewald of Delmar, Md.; Steve, Sheila, Michael and Hallie of Tulsa; sister Bonnie Colegrove of Peoria, Ill.; niece Keelo; nephew Kevin; and many cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband, Arden in April of 2022; her mother, Wilma, in 1957; and her father, Erling, in 1979.
A committal service was held Monday, Aug. 28 at the Freeman Cemetery followed by a memorial service at St. Paul Lutheran Church.
Active pallbearers were: Michael Dewald, Chuck Wolkow, Darin Gullickson, Lowell Johnson, Lawrence Satterlee, Fred Rittershaus, Brian Stern, Scott Stern, Gillas Stern, Myron Koerner and Jacob Lau.
Honorary pallbearers were: Garnet Stern, Judy Rechnagel, LeEtta Bennett, MaryEllen Jacobson, Alvina Hofer, Betty Stahl, Ardyne Rittershaus, Kate Gross, Sharon Pfeiffer, Evelyn Duerksen, Nancy Scarpace, Dona Wall, Alvin Mudder, Ron Bennett, Brian Fields and Don Hotchkiss.
In lieu of flowers, memorials will be directed to the Dewald Family Fund at St. Paul Lutheran Church.
