Marilyn Wolverton: 1937-2020
Marilyn (Mendel) Wolverton died Sept. 23, 2020, at Evergreen, Colo. surrounded by her family. There will be a memorial service celebrating her life at 2 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 25 at Bethel Church, Yale, S.D.
Marilyn June (Mendel) Wolverton was born June 22, 1937 to Joseph David Mendel and Elizabeth Viola (Hofer) Mendel in Faulkton, S.D. In 1942 the family moved to a farm south of Doland, S.D. Marilyn graduated from Doland High School in 1955 and in 1959 she graduated from Wheaton College in Chicago with a degree in Education. She then taught first grade in Doland for two years.
In the summer of 1961 Marilyn moved to Denver, Colo. to work and teach at the Children’s Asthma Research Institute and Hospital. While in the Denver area, she completed her master’s degree in education and counseling at the University of Colorado, Boulder. She married Everett Maurice Wolverton on Oct. 16, 1965. In 1968 Marilyn and Maurice moved to Evergreen where they raised three children: Brian, Rachel and Ivan. Marilyn and Maurice divorced in 1985, and Marilyn continued to live in Evergreen until her death.
As an adult Marilyn was a long-time member of Conference Baptist Church (now known as Aspen Ridge Church) in Evergreen, and for many years taught children’s Sunday school, led Awana groups and co-led women’s Bible studies there. She taught at Maranatha Christian Center for several years before her retirement in 1999. Most recently she was a member of Bergen Park Church in Evergreen.
Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents; one sibling, Gloria Mendel; two sisters-in-law, Pat and Janice Mendel; three nephews: James, Marce and Jason Mendel; and three nieces: Karlene, Carissa, and Stacie Mendel.
She is survived by her children: Brian (Kim) Wolverton of Evergreen, Rachel (Michael) Trostrud of Carlsbad, Calif., and Ivan (Stephanie) Wolverton of Evergreen; four grandchildren: Jessica Wolverton, Michael Trostrud, Sierra Trostrud and Aubrey Wolverton; and one step-grandchild, Tristan Eighmey; two sisters, Esther (Jim) Weems of Sioux Falls, S.D. and Kathy (Darrell) Hofer of Huron, S.D.; three brothers: Don (Lavonne) Mendel of Doland, Joe Jr (Janet) Mendel of Brookings, S.D. and David (Judy) Mendel of Doland; and many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews.
