Marilyn R. Arnesen

Marilyn R. Arnesen, age 78, of Watertown, SD, formerly of Florence, SD, passed away on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at a local care center.  She was the widow of Raymond "Ray" Arnesen.  Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at New Helgen Lutheran Church in Florence, SD.  Rev. Janet Miller will officiate.  Music will be provided by Ginny Johnson as organist and Amy Schmidt as the vocalist.  

Visitation will be at the Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. and prior to the services at the church on Wednesday.

Burial will be at Goodhue Lutheran Cemetery, rural Florence, SD.  Active pallbearers will be Aiden Morehouse, Chance Morehouse, Tom Arnesen, Loren Arnesen, Nathan Shuller, and Brandon Haack.

Marilyn was born on August 19, 1946, in Watertown, SD, to Curtis and Delores (Papka) McLaughlin.  She attended Watertown High School, graduating in 1964.  She went on to further her education at Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD. 

On November 19, 1966, Marilyn married Raymond “Ray” Arnesen at Grace Lutheran Church in Watertown, SD.  The couple resided on the farm just outside of Florence where Marilyn kept busy raising the children and she moved to Watertown in 2016 after Ray passed away.  Once their daughter Sue was in high school, Marilyn started working at St. Ann’s Hospital and a few other various jobs that kept her busy throughout the years. 

Marilyn was a member of Egeland Lutheran Church in rural Waubay and she was currently a member of New Helgen Lutheran Church in Florence.  She was a member for the Jayceettes Club and the Red Hat Club.  Marilyn enjoyed baking in her younger years, keeping busy with crossword and Sudoku puzzles, listening to Elvis, and rocking in her chair.  Marilyn had close friends that she enjoyed taking trips with and always enjoyed to visit with.

Marilyn is survived by her son, Jeff (Keri) Arnesen, of Aberdeen, SD; daughter, Sue (Craig Christeson) Rogge, of Watertown, SD; three grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; seven step-great-grandchildren; one brother, Chuck (Lynn) McLaughlin, of Burnsville, MN; brothers-in-law, Dan (Sandy) Arnesen, of Aberdeen, SD, Steve (Sue) Arnesen, of Florence; sisters-in-law, Linda (Gary Zubke) Peterson, of Florence, and Lorraine (Randy) Shuller, of Watertown.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents; husband Ray; twin sister, Marlene Grinde, and stillborn sister Marcene.

Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel www.crawfordosthus.com Watertown and Hayti

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