Marilyn H. Tormanen, 86, of Lake Norden, passed away Tuesday, December 17, 2019 at Estelline Nursing and Care Center. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am Monday, December 23, 2019 at Evangelical Covenant Church, in Lake Norden. Visitation will be from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm Sunday at Evangelical Covenant Church. Geise Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Marilyn Helen Thompson, daughter of Christian and Emma (Birgholtz) Thompson, was born on April 28, 1933, in Kingsbury County. She grew up in Oldham, SD where she attended school.  Marilyn was baptized and confirmed in the Oldham Lutheran Church.  Later in life, Marilyn met her soul mate and the love of her life, Marvin, while working in Lake Norden, SD.  They were united in marriage on December 19 ^th , 1953 in Brookings, South Dakota.  They made their home on the Tormanen family homestead near Lake Norden.  Marvin and Marilyn were blessed to welcome 13 children, known as "the baker's dozen."  Marilyn was a homemaker with a huge heart.  Family and friends meant the world to Marilyn and she valued each and every one of them. Marilyn always opened her home to watch, love and snuggle all her grandchildren along with any other littles ones that crossed her path. Marvin and Marilyn moved to town in the fall of 2004, where she resided until most recently, when her health declined.

Marilyn was a member of the VFW Woman's Auxiliary and Lake Norden Covenant Women. Marilyn enjoyed gardening, canning, cooking homemade meals and baking homemade bread.  Most importantly, Marilyn valued family and the race for hugs from her grandchildren. Marilyn was a special Aunt to her nieces and nephews. She treasured her friendship with lifelong friend, Valda Olson.  Marilyn and Valda could talk for hours.  Marilyn will always be remembered for her quick "witty" responses and sense of humor, and her Sunday dinners and family gatherings.  Marilyn was strong willed and never complained. She was the foundation for her family, and she loved unconditionally.   Marilyn proved her strengths and fought to the end with a smile and never gave up.

Grateful for sharing Marilyn's life are her children, Randy " Sam" (Sherri) Tormanen of Watertown, SD, Darrell (Kim) Tormanen of Hays, KS, David "Snowball" Tormanen of Estelline, SD, Nancy (Todd) Bjorklund of Estelline, SD, Sue (Fred) Reitsma of Lake Norden, SD, Bonnie Tormanen of Lake Norden, SD, Arlene  "Arnie"(Doug) Doescher of Arlington, SD, Tracy (Darin) Laue of Castlewood, SD, Connie (Trav) Bratland of Willow Lake, SD and Amy (Ryan) Miller of Estelline, SD; her daughter-in-law, Kathie Tormanen of Lake Norden, SD; 32 grandchildren, 53 great grandchildren and 13 great-great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Marvin; three children, Richard 'Dick' Tormanen, Doug Tormanen and Pamela Marchese; step father, Peter Sorenson; seven brothers, Floyd, Manfred, Chris, Ray, Merle, Curt and Robert and three sisters, Violet, Irene and Vivian 'Babe'.

Condolences may be sent to the family through www.geisefuneralhome.com