Marlene Pistorius

Marlene F. Pistorius, age 75, Rosholt, passed away on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at Prairie Lakes Hospital in Watertown, SD, surrounded by family.

Her Funeral Service will be Saturday, April 4, at 10:00 a.m. at Bethania Lutheran Church in Rosholt with Rev. Nancy Quatier officiating. Music will be provided by organist Ruby Larsen. The service will be livestreamed on the Bethania-Trondhjem Lutheran Church Facebook page.

Burial will be in the Bethania Cemetery, Rosholt. Honorary pallbearers will be all of Marlene’s grandchildren. Active pallbearers will be Tim O’Leary, Andy LaClaire, Colin Tritz, Derek Meyer, Brad Heger, Kevin Pistorius, and Aaron Pistorius.

Visitation will be Friday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Eggers Funeral Home in Rosholt and will continue Saturday morning one hour prior to the service at the church.

Marlene was born on August 29, 1950, in Wheaton, MN to Marlin and Lillian (Gunderson) Peterson. She grew up in the Herman-Norcross area, graduating from Herman High School in 1968. Following graduation, she moved to Alexandria and then to Minneapolis, where she worked for Bell Telephone.

She met the love of her life, Lynn Pistorius, in Rosholt, SD. The couple was united in marriage on May 28, 1977. They built a life together, centered on family, faith, community, and service. This union was blessed with three children: Stacy, Tara, and Scot.

Marlene’s greatest joy was her family. She loved attending her children’s activities. She hated to miss anything her children did. In later years, she found immense happiness following her grandchildren’s activities and accomplishments, and most recently enjoyed what time she had with her great-grandchild.

Marlene loved relaxing at the lake with her family and friends, tending to her flowers, or playing the drums in the Tri-State Band. She was known for her warm spirit, strong work ethic, and generous heart.

Marlene’s faith was a cornerstone of her life. She was a devoted member of Bethania Lutheran Church. Here she found strength, purpose, and fellowship.

Throughout her life, she dedicated herself to her work and her community. She provided daycare in her home, worked at the Rosholt Nursing Home, and then was a devoted employee of Farmer’s Coop Elevator for 34 years.

She was very active in the community she loved. She proudly served on the Beautification Committee and the Town Board. She volunteered as an EMT and was later on the ambulance and nursing home boards along with many other volunteer efforts. She would do anything for anyone, no questions asked.

Marlene was preceded in death by her parents Marlin and Lillian; mother and father-in-law Lorna and Alvin Pistorius; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and in-laws.

She will be remembered for her love of her family, dedication to her community, and kindness to all who knew her by her husband of nearly 49 years, Lynn; children and grandchildren Stacy (Tim) O’Leary, Shae and Teigyn; Tara (Andy) LaClaire and Avery; Scot (Justine) Pistorius, Jorden, Jace, and Jaxen, and Westyn; siblings Wayne (Sue) Peterson, Fran Ketterling, and Anita (Steve) Tritz; sister-in-law Arlene (Terry) Meyer; and many nieces and nephews, cousins, and in-laws.