Marlene DeJongh

Marlene Mae DeJongh, age 89 of Sioux Falls, passed away Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at Ava’s Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD. 

Funeral services for Marlene will be 11:00 AM Thursday, October 16, 2025, at Lake Whitewood Church, rural Arlington. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services on Thursday. Burial will be at Lake Whitewood Cemetery following the service. Arrangements have been entrusted to Crawford-Osthus/Johnson-Henry Funeral Home of Arlington.

Marlene was born on July 14, 1936 to Martin & Mable Bergerson in Kingsbury County, South Dakota. She was a farm girl who drove herself to school from the age of 13. She was Martin and Mable’s only child, but all of her cousins were like siblings to her. Married Dennis DeJongh on Dec 13th, 1955. Soon thereafter, they moved to Bellflower, California, where they raised 4 children. They divorced in 1984. Marlene married Jim Watkins on June 7th, 1987.

 Marlene is survived by 4 children: Gregory Michael, Daniel Mark, Delene Renee, and Bradley Kent. 2 stepchildren: John and Becky. She is also survived by 18 Grandchildren, 21 Great- Grandchildren, and soon to be 3 more Great-Grandchildren.

Marlene was very active at St. Timothy Lutheran Church. She sang in the choir, was a founding member of the St. T Singers, and was in the Women’s Circle Bible Studies. She taught Adult Education at night for many years until her retirement, and then her real passion for Quilting took over. She was in the Wrightwood Quilting Guild and taught many ladies how to quilt in her expansive sewing room at her home. One of her quilts won 2nd place in her local County Faire (she wasn’t happy about 2nd and thought her quilt was way better). Marlene battled Dementia-Alzheimer’s for the last few years and was relieved of her pain and went to be with her Lord on October 8, 2025.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Crawford-Osthus/Johnson-Henry Funeral Chapel, of Arlington.

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