Marlys Ophelia Anderson

Marlys Ophelia Anderson, 93, of Dell Rapids, South Dakota, died on Monday, January 22, 2007 at the Dells Area Health Center. Funeral services will begin at 2:00 PM Wedensday, January 24, 2007 at the Lutheran Church of Dells Rapids. Visitation with the family present will be from 7-9:00 PM Tuesday, January 23, 2007 at the Minnehaha Funeral Home, Dell Rapids. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Lutheran Church of Dell Rapids or East Nidaros Lutheran Church Building Funds.

Marlys Ophelia Anderson was born on May 30, 1913 at Baltic, South Dakota to Alvin Bennett and Ida Elizabeth (Erickson) Riswold. She grew up around Baltic and graduated from Baltic High School on May 21, 1931. During school she was the Minnehaha County Spelling Champion in 1926. Marlys married Edwin Anderson on August 6, 1937 at Flandreau, South Dakota. They settled in Dell Rapids after their marriage. Edwin died on July 27, 1957.


Marlys was a member of the Lutheran Church of Dell Rapids since 1937. She was also a member of the VFW Auxiliary, American Legion Auxiliary, Senior Citizens of Dell Rapids, and the Minnehaha County Historical Society. In 1990, Marlys was the State Runner-Up for the American Legionette of the Year. Marlys enjoyed crafts, reading, and writing poetry. She wrote over 50 poems for family and community events.


Marlys passed away on Monday, January 22, 2007 at the Dells Area Health Center in Dell Rapids.


Grateful for having shared her life are her son, Stan (Dodie) Anderson, Black Hawk, South Dakota; a daughter, Myrna Dillon, Lake Forest, California; a step-daughter, Mary Ann Kenyon, Lakefield, Minnesota; a sister, Helen Riswold, Dell Rapids; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren; daughters-in-law, Tsuneko Anderson, San Jose, California, and Bernielle Anderson, San Jacinto, California; and numerous nieces, nephews and their families.


Marlys was preceded in death by her husband, parents, step-sons: Jerome, Ernest, and Arnold; five brothers: John, Ivan, Francis, Spencer, Donald; and a son-in-law, Bob Dillon.