Marilyn Dewald

Marilyn Dewald 85 of Freeman, passed away Thursday, August 17 at Oakview Terrace in Freeman. Visitation will be Sunday, August 27th from 5pm to 7pm at St Paul Lutheran Church in Freeman. Committal services will be Monday at 10am at the Freeman Cemetery. Memorial services will be Monday at 11am at St Paul Lutheran Church.  

In lieu of flowers, memorials will be directed to the Dewald Family Fund at St. Paul Lutheran Church. For those unable to attend the service, it will be livestreamed at: www.StPaulFreeman.org

Marilyn Adell Johnson Dewald was born April 30, 1938 at Lake Preston, SD, the daughter of Erling and Wilma (Nelson) Johnson, and passed away on August 17, 2023 at Oakview Terrace in Freeman, SD. Marilyn was baptized on May 30, 1938 at North Preston Lutheran Church, Lake Preston, SD and confirmed on April 4, 1952 at West Bethany Lutheran Church, Erwin, SD. Marilyn attended elementary and high school at Erwin, SD, 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, SD at a social sponsored by Lutheran Campus Ministries at SDSU. They were married June 21, 1958 in Brookings, SD and Freeman, SD 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, OK 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, SD for 12 years until his death. After which time she began a 30+ 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, OK, sister Bonnie Colegrove of Peoria, IL, 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.