Marilyn Wipf, 88
Marilyn Wipf, age 88, of Freeman, S.D., passed away peacefully at the Freeman Nursing Home on Sept. 30, 2025. Services were held Saturday, Oct. 4, at Neu Hutterthaler Mennonite Church of rural Bridgewater, S.D.
Marilyn Rae (DeBoer) Wipf was born on Dec. 9, 1936, to Raymond and Evelyn (Sherman) DeBoer on the home farm near Hickman, Neb. She was one of eight children — with five brothers and two sisters. At the age of two, her family moved into Lincoln, Neb., where she attended Havelock and Bethany Elementary Schools and Lincoln Junior High. Later, they returned to the country to the DeBoer home place, and Mom graduated from Panama High School in 1955. She was a proud graduate and loved attending class reunions whenever possible.
On Sept. 2, 1955, Mom married Harvey J. Wipf at the Christian Missionary Alliance Church in Lincoln. Together they shared over 58 years of marriage and were blessed with six children: Lynn Allen, Judith Kay, Janis Mae, Joan Fay, Jean Rae, and Larry Arden.
In August 1956, Mom and Dad moved to South Dakota, where they raised their family in the Bridgewater and Freeman areas. Mom embraced the role of a farm wife with strength and devotion. Her days were filled with caring for her husband and six children while managing endless responsibilities — cooking, cleaning, sewing, gardening, canning, milking cows, and raising chickens. She often helped with machinery and fieldwork, and Saturdays were marked by the warm aroma of fresh buns and cinnamon rolls. Her life was a daily expression of love and quiet service to her family.
Mom accepted the Lord as her Savior as a child and was baptized as an adult on October 4, 1959, at Neu Hutterthaler Mennonite Church. She remained a faithful member, serving as a Sunday school teacher, helping with Bible school, and being an active part of the Willing Workers ladies’ group.
She was a talented seamstress and quilter. In addition to mending clothes, she made matching dresses for her daughters at Easter and Christmas. Later, quilting became her creative outlet, and she lovingly made a quilt for each grandchild upon graduation and marriage.
Mom’s life was centered on her family. She deeply enjoyed supporting her children and grandchildren in their activities and cherished holidays surrounded by loved ones — always with an abundance of food and warmth. Her banana split dessert became a family favorite. She was faithful in her daily devotions and wrapped each of her children, grandchildren, and their families in prayer.
After Dad’s passing in 2013, Mom moved into Freeman, where she enjoyed spending time with friends playing cards and dominoes, attending community events, and traveling on bus trips across the Midwest — even special trips to Florida with the high school band. Along the way, she collected salt and pepper shakers as mementos of her journeys.
In 2020, Mom moved into the Salem Mennonite Home in Freeman, and in 2025 transitioned to the nursing home at Freeman Regional Medical Center.
Grateful for sharing her life are her children Lynn (Kim) Wipf; Judith (Martin) Voeltz; Janis (Dail) Dailing; Joan Gabbert; Jean Wipf; Larry (Sheila) Wipf; grandchildren Justin (Brittany) Wipf; Kristin (Tim) Hoyt; Lauren (Scott) Crawford; Matthew (Lisa) Voeltz; Michael (Katie) Voeltz; Nicholas (Cierra) Voeltz; Emily (DeVonté) Garcia; Nathan (Ashley) Dailing; Katie (Aaron) Callies; Amanda (Mikael) Palli; Andrew (Kiley) Schmidt; Anna (Justin) Linhardt; Joseph (Breanna) Schmidt; Rachel Schmidt; Lacey Wipf, Sarah Wipf, Lily Wipf, Sawyer Wipf; 39 great-grandchildren; brothers Warren DeBoer, James DeBoer, Raymond Junior DeBoer; sister Darlene Ludzack; brother and sisters-in-law Marie DeBoer, Joyce Hofer, Joseph and Ardis Wipf, and Esther Wipf.
She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; parents-in-law Paul K and Justina Wipf; brothers Ervin DeBoer, Dwain DeBoer; sister Marjorie Schubert; son-in-law Terry Schmidt; brothers and sisters-in-law Jack Schubert, Carl Ludzack, Joyce DeBoer, Mary Lee DeBoer, Junior Paul Wipf, and Delmar Wipf.
Our family would like to sincerely thank the Salem Mennonite Home, Freeman Nursing Home, Dr. Shakil Hafiz, and the Avera Hospice Care Team for their compassionate care and support.
Undesignated memorials will be given to the Neu Hutterthaler Mennonite Church Willing Workers.
