Marlene Herzig

1946 - 2017

Marlene Herzig

Marlene Herzig took her last breath on earth and her first breath in heaven on Sunday, October 8, 2017, following a head injury. Marlene Joyce Anderson was born November 3, 1946 in Brookings, SD, to Charles "Earling" and Rosella Anderson. One of her first memories was her third birthday. Her Grandma and Grandpa Sundal brought three peppermint sticks for her birthday cake. She grew up in Lake Norden, SD, graduating from Lake Norden High School in 1964. She enjoyed being a cheerleader for the Bluejays. She continued her education in Sioux Falls, where she graduated from South Dakota Hairstyling Academy in 1965. In September of 1966, she met Verlon Spronk. They were married on February 4, 1967. Together they raised their three children and were married 29 years. They remained good friends and a great support to each other. She married Richard Herzig on July 15, 2000. They were married for 18 months before he suddenly passed away.

Marlene was a beautician, banker, and pharmacy technician, but most of all "Mom and Grandma". Nothing brought her more joy than spending time with her kids and grandkids. She was proud to say she had 11 grandchildren; 14 counting spouses. She also loved going to rummage sales, going out to eat, crocheting and knitting dish clothes to give away, getting her nails done, sewing, hosting sleepovers filled with laughter and games with her grandchildren, wearing fun colors in her hair, baking, celebrating birthdays and holidays, talking on the phone, making lefse and rosettes, playing Bingo, getting coffee drinks at McDonalds, visiting her son and family in Las Vegas, and going to various activities of her grandchildren. She shared her talents and expertise with us. She taught us to love Jesus, to live life with forgiveness and fun, to crochet/knit, to cook/bake, to smile even during difficult times, to cut hair, and to love unconditionally. She lived life without judgment, talking to anybody and everybody she met. She always dreamed of visiting Graceland to see where Elvis lived and tour his house and this dream was fulfilled in 2012 with her daughters and two of her granddaughters. Her "no one is a stranger" mentality led her to meet a gal in Memphis, who grew up in Elvis Presley's neighborhood and listened to him sing on his porch before the world did. Marlene was thrilled that she got to see Elvis during his last concert in Sioux Falls. She had a sense of humor and a zest for life, which were unparalleled. You would always find her with a smile on her face.

Marlene is survived by her three children, Dody (Thomas) Otten, Jason (Kari) Spronk, Debi (Craig) Halverson; 14 grandchildren; siblings, Ione Thomsen, Charlotte Nielsen, and Charles Anderson; mother-in-law, Maggie Spronk.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Earling and Rosella Anderson; brothers-in-law, Gary Koistinen, Craig Nielsen, and Bruce Thomsen; father-in-law, Bernard Spronk; sister-in-law, Kathy Spronk; Richard Herzig and Verlon Spronk.

We love her so much and already miss her dearly. We can't imagine our lives without her, but find comfort in the knowledge that she is pain free and waiting for us in heaven.

Funeral services will begin at 1:00 pm Friday, October 13, 2017, at Linwood Wesleyan Church, with burial at Woodlawn Cemetery. Visitation with family present will be from 6:00-8:00 pm Thursday, October 12, 2017, at Heritage Funeral Home. www.heritagesfsd.com.