To request a copy of this photo for your own personal use, please contact our state coordinator. If you are not a family member or the original photographer — please refrain from copying or distributing this photo to other websites.
Thank you for visiting the South Dakota Gravestone Photo Project. On this site you can upload gravestone photos, locate ancestors and perform genealogy research. If you have a relative buried in South Dakota, we encourage you to upload a digital image using our Submit a Photo page. Contributing to this genealogy archive helps family historians and genealogy researchers locate their relatives and complete their family tree.
Submitted: 7/31/22 • Approved: 8/1/22 • Last Updated: 8/4/22 • R274522-G274521-S3
Marlene Joy Ross
June 2, 1946 - January 27, 2022
Sioux Falls, SD ~ Marlene Joy Ross, age 75, died on Thursday, January 27, 2022 at USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, January 31, 2022 at Central Church in Sioux Falls, SD. Her family will be present to greet friends for visitation on Sunday at George Boom Funeral Home & On-Site Crematory in Sioux Falls, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
Marlene Joy Colwill was born on June 2, 1946 in Sioux Falls, SD. The fourth born of seven children to Clarence and Bertha (Peterson) Colwill. She was raised and received her education in Sioux Falls, graduating from Washington High School. While in high school, Marlene worked at the State Theatre where she was affectionally known as “Pinky.” Following high school, Marlene was united in marriage with Jerry Ross. The couple made their home in Sioux Falls and were blessed with one daughter, Heidi and two sons, Corey and Joel.
Marlene worked at Home Federal Bank for many years before moving on to the Good Samaritan Society National Campus where she continued her career until retirement. Marlene was a woman of deep faith – and her true calling was spreading the good news of Christ through the teachings of the Bible. She was a longtime member of Central Church, where she was active in various ministries. She also served as a leader for many years in community Bible study groups, affectionately referring to the women in her groups as “her girls,” whom she loved dearly. In fact, on the evening before her passing, her last conversation was with one of “her girls” to which she expressed “Jesus is my everything.” She truly cared deeply for all of God’s children and shared her talents by mentoring for many years with students in the Sioux Falls School District and as a volunteer with the “No One Dies Alone” program at Sanford Hospital, often sitting with critical patients in their final hours.
Marlene was also a very gifted artist who was a skilled painter, crafter and home decorator, always having multiple projects in the works. In her younger years she enjoyed bowling and in later years really took a liking to golf. Above all, she cherished her time with her grandchildren; especially attending their activities, sporting events, and visiting the Colorado grandchilrden. She also loved playing board games, Sequence and was an expert at Scrabble. In addition to the above, she enjoyed shopping and the fine art of spoiling her family. Marlene was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend who will be dearly missed.
Grateful for having shared her life are her husband, Jerry Ross, Sioux Falls, SD; three children, Heidi (Jeff) Reynolds, Sioux Falls, SD, Corey (Bergan) Ross, Sioux Falls, SD and Joel (Sara) Ross, Steamboat Springs, CO; seven grandchildren, Joshua, Hannah (fiancé, Logan Erickson), Sam, Zane, Riley, Cooper and Indie; one sister, Belva Star, Rapid City, SD; one brother, Dene (Clara) Colwill, Grand Prairie, TX; three sisters-in-laws, Joanne Jones Oklahoma City, OK, Sherryl McComb, Des Moines, IA and Vicki Simpson, Denver, CO; many nieces, nephew, other relatives and dear friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Bertha Colwill; four brothers, Willis Colwill, Bernie Colwill, Lyle Colwill and Delwyn Colwill; one sister-in-law, Sandy Colwill; and brother-in-law, Roger Star.
--------------------------------------
Section Linden Plot # 1139
Contributed on 7/31/22 by 9kat
Email This Contributor
Suggest a Correction
Record #: 274522