Marilyn Olson

Marilyn Kathleen Dunker Calvert Olson, born on Sunday, Dec. 26,1927, was the first-born child of Byron J. and Helen Delphene (née Beach) Krebs of Raymond, S.D. At age 12, her father died from a lightning strike, and as a result, Marilyn, the eldest of four children, had many family responsibilities thrust upon her at an early age.

After a long and beautiful life, Marilyn died on January 28, 2021, at Monument Health Hospital, Rapid City, SD. There will be no funeral in Rapid City. She has been cremated and there will be a funeral service and burial in Raymond in the summer.

Marilyn was an accomplished seamstress and made many of her family’s clothes, including suits for her husband.  She was a remarkable cook and baker — even won the SD Pillsbury Bake-Off at one point.

Marilyn graduated from Northern State College with an MA degree in education. She had a passion for education, especially the education of the mentally handicapped, and was named to the South Dakota Commission of Mental Health and Mental Retardation.  In 1971, she was appointed to the Governor’s advisory Committee on Employment of the Handicapped. Marilyn also had a great love for her fellow man — from her foster children, to an Ethiopian refugee taken under her wing, to her church family, to unwed mothers living in her home, to her children, and to her beloved grandchildren who referred to her as “Doughie”.  She touched many with her passion and love.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, two husbands — Wallace and Warren, two brothers — Darrel and Galen, and a sister-in-law Shirley.

Blessed for having shared her life are her husband Dale, of Rapid City, SD; her sister Cheryle Sorensen, and her husband Ross, of Rapid City, SD; her son Jan Dunker, and his wife Eliana, of Vinhedo, Brazil; her daughter Jean Albrecht, and her husband Jeff, of Doland, SD; her daughter Jody Roeber, and her husband David, of Garner, IA; her grandchildren — John Albrecht (Alison) of Sioux Falls, SD, Alexandra Finkbeiner (Lance) of Centennial, CO, Anastasia Dill (Michael), of Tyler, MN; Daniel Roeber (Ashley) of Farmington, MN, Matthew Roeber (Michelle Brown) of West Des Moines, IA, and Katharine Bargman (Jared) of Cedar Falls, IA; and her great-grandchildren — Soraya, Zander, and Cairo Finkbeiner; Cecelia and Barrett Dill; Ophelia and Smith Roeber; Sophia and Madelynn Brown; and Willa and Bode Bargman.

For a complete obituary for Marilyn, go to www.kirkfuneralhome.com.