Marilyn Louise Paddock

Marilyn L. Paddock, 73, passed away on February 23, 2026, while traveling to Texas after suffering a sudden brain aneurysm.

Marilyn’s life was defined by her warmth, her love for family, and the many friendships she built wherever life took her. She first met the love of her life over Labor Day weekend in 1993 at the Storm Mountain Retreat Center. At that time, Marilyn was living in Mitchell, South Dakota, with her sons Brad and Jon and working as the Marketing Director at Methodist Hospital. Shortly after, she accepted a marketing position with Prairie Lakes Hospital in Watertown, South Dakota. It was there that she and her husband married, purchased a home, and built a life together while their boys—Brad, Tom, and Jon—attended and graduated from Watertown High School.

Marilyn later moved to Sioux Falls, where she joined Sanford Health in a marketing role. During those years, she and her husband purchased an acreage near Baltic and built what they lovingly called their “forever home,” doing much of the construction work themselves.

In 2004, a recruiter placed Marilyn with a healthcare marketing company in Madison, Wisconsin, where she served as National Sales Manager. In 2008, she was invited back to Sioux Falls by a former supervisor during Sanford’s merger with Fargo. After several organizational changes, Marilyn transitioned to the Heart Hospital of South Dakota in Sioux Falls, where she worked until retiring in 2020.

Retirement opened the door to a new adventure. Marilyn and her husband embraced life on the road as full-time RV travelers, spending summers with family—especially their beloved grandchildren. They spent two winters in South Carolina and the last three winters in the Texas Hill Country near Lake Buchanan as proud “Winter Texans.” There they formed a close-knit community of more than twenty friends. Much of their time was spent gathered around campfires, sharing stories, playing board games, and enjoying meals together at local restaurants. Marilyn helped organize potluck celebrations for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s—events that became treasured traditions. One of her favorite pastimes was joining her “Gal Pals” for golf outings.

More than anything, Marilyn treasured her family. She is survived by her husband, Chris; children and grandchildren: Brad and Lisa and their three daughters of Montana near Glacier Park; Jon and Jessica and their two daughters of Garretson, South Dakota; Tom and Liz and their two sons of Ham Lake, Minnesota; and Cristy and Corey and their two daughters and son, Seamus, of Idaho Falls, Idaho. Marilyn found great joy in time spent with her children and grandchildren, whether traveling, visiting, or simply sharing everyday moments together.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Marilyn on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at Crosswalk Church, 6101 S. Mogen Ave, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, at 2:30 p.m. Family will be present beginning at 2:00 p.m. for visitation, and a time of fellowship and light refreshments will follow the service.