Marilyn Bondesen, 82,, has passed away, leaving behind a family and community who loved her dearly.
Here is a glimpse of the life she lived, in her family's own remembrance.
Marilyn's story began in 1942, and unfolded across the years that followed.
Marilyn held deeply to the Catholic faith — and was, by all accounts, loved by those who knew her best.
What is held in faith is rarely lost.
Marilyn Carol Bondesen, 82, passed away peacefully with her husband of almost 66 years by her side, on Saturday, December 14, 2024. Marilyn was born on March 25, 1942 in Hurley, South Dakota, to Matt and Helen (Lease) Woodward. She joined an older sister, Sharon, and a few years later, a brother Chuck. She grew up in Hurley and married Jim Bondesen on December 27, 1958. From the beginning of their marriage, Marilyn and their kids traveled with Jim during his power transmission career living in fourteen states and Canada. Marilyn and Jim purchased their farm in Hurley in 1972 and moved back to Hurley in 1976. Marilyn devoted her life to raising their children and working with Jim on the farm. Marilyn took an active role in their kids' activities including Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, sports, and school activities. She enjoyed cooking, baking, sewing, and crafts of all kinds. After moving back to Hurley, she enjoyed making and decorating birthday and wedding cakes for family and friends, and she was active in Questors for many years. One of the greatest joys of her life was caring for and being a grandmother to James and Ashley Bondesen. She is survived by her husband Jim and three children, Debi (Bondesen) Morgan, Kathy Bondesen, and Jeff Bondesen; four grandchildren, James Bondesen, Ashley Bondesen, Holly Morgan, and Staci Peterson; 6 great-grandchildren Meagan, Emily, Luke, Kollin, Kason, and Daniel; seven great-great grandchildren Roman, Cooper, Kaden, Jackson, Emerson, Ava-Kay, and James; sister Sharon (Woodward) and Bud Gullikson, nephew Greg and Denise Gullikson and family, nieces Wendy (Anderson) Rand and family, Cindy (Anderson) and Darren Matthes and family, Darcy Anderson, Sheila (Woodward) and Chris Sonne, Kristin (Woodward) Brown and family, Laura (Woodward) and BD Softley and family, and Leasa Woodward and Amy Long. She was preceded in death by her parents, Matt and Helen Woodward, an infant grandson, Jeffrey Bondesen, her parents-in-law, Pat and Iona Bondesen, her brother Chuck Woodward, son-in-law Cliford Morgan, niece Donna Gullikson, and brother and sister-in- law, Lowell and Kit Anderson. Funeral services will be at the Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Centerville, SD on Thursday, December 19, 2024, at 10:30am with burial in the Hurley Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7pm on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at the Hofmeister-Jones Funeral Chapel in Parker.
