Marilyn Jensen

Marilyn J. Jensen, age 85, of De Smet and formerly of Huron, passed away on Saturday, December 13, 2025 at Good Samaritan Society Nursing Home in De Smet. Her memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Saturday, January 10, 2026 at Welter Funeral Home in Huron. Burial will follow at Maplewood Cemetery in Iroquois. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Marilyn Jean Schley was born on May 31, 1940 in Kranzburg, South Dakota, the 4th of 5 children born to Marvin and Lucille (Bensley) Schley. She attended school in Lane and Iroquois, graduating from Iroquois High School. She attended Nettleton College in Sioux Falls for business.

Marilyn met Ronald Milton Jensen in Huron, and they married on September 20, 1959 at McCord Air Force Base in Tacoma, WA, while Ron was in the Air Force. Marilyn was a homemaker for many years while raising her children, Bret and Tracey. Marilyn and Ron divorced in 1974, and she and the children moved back to Huron. Marilyn worked as a waitress. She enjoyed her family, her dogs, drawing and painting. She also had a love for Elvis.

She is survived by her children, Bret (Kim) Jensen of De Smet and Tracey Santos of Pensacola, FL; two grandchildren, Matthew (Brittany) Santos of Mechanicsville, MD and Teela Santos of Pensacola, FL; four great-grandchildren, Luke, Milo, and Gabriel of Mechanicsville, MD and Kai Santos of Pensacola, FL. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Burdean Schley of Keystone, SD and Judeen Schley of Alpena, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Marvin and Lucille; two sisters, Phyllis at 6 years of age and Donna Knouse; two brothers, Duane Schley and Delbert (Dick) Schley.