Marlene Schurz

Marlene Schurz, of Sioux Falls formerly of Madison, passed away on November 19, 2017, at Dow Rummel Village in Sioux Falls at the age of 79 after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease.

Funeral services will be 10:30 AM, Saturday, November 25, 2017, at Our Savior Lutheran Church, Madison with burial at Graceland Cemetery.  The family will be present for visitation 5-7 PM Friday at Ellsworth Funeral Home.

Marlene Ann Beck was born September 5, 1938 near Delmont, SD, to John W. and Ernestine A. (Weisser) Beck.  She was baptized at Evangelical Lutheran Church in rural Delmont, SD on November 2, 1938 and confirmed May 27, 1953 at Zion Lutheran Church in Delmont, SD.

She grew up on a farm near Delmont, graduated from Delmont High School in 1956 and from USD/Springfield in 1957.  She worked at several office positions at Pepsi Cola Company and the State Highway Department in Mitchell, SD.  She married Virgil J. Schurz on June 5, 1960, at Mitchell. They lived on a farm near Ethan, SD in 1960 and then farmed near Plankinton, SD until 1972 when they moved to their farm near Howard, SD.  In 1983, they purchased a welding shop and home west of Madison, SD.

Virgil and Marlene raised their 4 children (Teresa, Diane, Rick and Lisa) on their farms by Plankinton and Howard.

After moving to Madison, Marlene worked at several part-time positions, was a summer manager at Prairie Village for two summers, held a secretarial position at Gehl Company, Ellsworth Funeral Home and later worked in the Placement Office at Dakota State University for 13 years until her retirement in 2003.  She was very proud of becoming computer proficient during her years at DSU and often spoke fondly of the students she met while working there. After retirement, she worked part-time at the daycare center at the Madison Community Center from 2008 to 2013.  

Always keeping busy, Marlene volunteered with the Kinship Program in Madison for about 10 years and at Prairie Village for over 20 years.  Her husband, Virgil, and son, Rick, were also very involved with Prairie Village and Marlene attended the Prairie Village Jamboree every year through 2016 until her health prevented her from being able to go.  She often would drive one of the Schurz family antique tractors in the parade. She also was an active member of the Madison VFW Auxiliary, earning an award for Outstanding VFW President for the State of South Dakota in 2006.

Of course, anyone who knew Virgil and Marlene, knew they could find them dancing somewhere most weekends. After Virgil passed away, Marlene continued to attend senior dances as long as she could.

Survivors include daughters, Teresa Schurz (Darren Melstad) of Sioux Falls, SD and Lisa (Barry) Rossen of Westfield, NJ; grandchildren Alex & Anna Rossen, Megan (Tim) Kuehler and Austin Melstad; great-grandson, Miles Kuehler, great-granddaughter Mara Kuehler; sister Elvera Iliff of Watkins, CO and brothers, Herbert Beck of Montesano, WA and Maynard (Lin) Beck of Morabia Falls, NC; sister-in-law Mary Ann Beck of Watertown, SD; and many beloved nieces and nephews and their families.

Marlene was preceded in death by her parents, husband Virgil in 1998, a daughter Diane, a son Rick, sister Doris Beck, brother-in-law James Iliff, brother John Elmer Beck, sister-in-law Iris Beck.

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