Marilyn Marshall

Mass of Christian burial was held on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Gregory, SD, with Father Jonathan Dillon officiating.

Opie Bordaux was lector, Jaxon and Brynn Bearshield presented gifts, and Gabe Ekroth and Addyson DuFrane were servers.

Music was provided by the St. Joseph Catholic Church Choir, accompanied by Mary Beth Gergen, organist, Dr. Lorenzo Stars, soloist. Lori Bearshield was in charge of registration.

Casket bearers were David Brozik, Ethan Brozik, Bo Bearshield, Brock Bearshield, Ben Bearshield, Brandy Louwagie, and Lisa White Pipe.

Interment was in the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Cemetery, in St. Charles, SD. Clausen Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Marilyn Rose, Lakota name Good Elk Woman (Hehaka Wašte Win), was born on July 2, 1950, in Rosebud, SD to William and Velda Bearshield. Marilyn was later joined by her siblings Wilma, William, Jr., Bernadine, and Todd. Marilyn’s childhood years were spent in Winner, SD, Hastings, NE and Oakland, CA. The Bearshield family returned to the Milk’s Camp Community and Marilyn graduated from Bonesteel High School in 1968.

Marilyn attended Southern State College in Springfield, SD, where she met Sherman Marshall. They were engaged on April 18, 1970, while Sherman was serving in the US Army in Vietnam, and were married on October 23, 1971. It was around this time Marilyn started her lifelong passion of working with children when she began her employment with the Bonesteel School District.

Marilyn went on to work for the Rosebud Sioux Tribe as teacher at the Milk’s Camp Head Start Center. Marilyn and Sherman welcomed their first child, William James Marshall on January 16, 1973. The Marshall family moved to Vermillion in 1981, where Sherman attended the University of South Dakota School of Law. During this time, Marilyn worked at the USD Head Start Program. Their youngest child, Sherman James Marshall, II was born on November 9, 1984.

In 1985, the family moved to Gregory and Marilyn resumed her employment with the RST Head Start Program. After the closure of the Milk’s Camp Head Start Center, she began working as a teacher’s aide at the Gregory Elementary School. Later, Marilyn worked as an Early Intervention Specialist with the RST Education Department until her retirement. Throughout her career, Marilyn continued her education by taking courses at Sinte Gleska University focusing on early childhood development.

An important part of Marilyn’s life was her service to her community. Through her volunteer work and membership on numerous boards and committees, Marilyn continued her focus on children and education. Marilyn served 15 years as the Chairwoman of the Milk’s Camp Community. For over 20 years, Marilyn helped coordinate an annual Christmas program with the Canton Lutheran Church for the Milk’s Camp Community youth. Marilyn served on the Johnson O’Malley (JOM) board, Gregory County Extension Advisory Board, and Sinte Gleska University Board of Regents. As a longtime member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church, Marilyn was involved in the Alter Society and taught CCD.

Marilyn was a devoted wife, mother, sister, aunt, and friend. Sherman and Marilyn accompanied each other on many work-related trips throughout the country. Marilyn attended all of her children’s sporting events, school activities, and concerts. Marilyn looked after everyone in her family and would frequently call her brothers, sisters, nieces, and nephews to check on them. Marilyn also had a large circle of close friends throughout her lifetime.

Marilyn passed away on May 5, 2024, following a brief illness. She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Sherman; sons William (Tessa and daughter Kendall Ochoa), and Sherman “Jim”; sisters Wilma (Wade) Robertson and Bernadine (Dave) Brozik; brothers William (Lori) Bearshield, Jr. and Todd Bearshield; along with nieces; nephews; five grandnieces; and five grandnephews.

Marilyn is preceded in death by her parents; and infant daughter Michelle Lynn.