MARLENE A. MARQUESEN October 22, 1934 – September 30, 2026

Marlene Louise (Anderson) Van Tassel Marquesen of Sioux Falls, Dakota, died peacefully on September 30 at the Sanford Hospice Centennial Cottage.

Marlene was born October 22, 1934, in Sioux Falls to Arthur and Doris (Beto) Anderson. Growing up, she lived in Sioux Falls and Sioux City, Iowa. She was the only girl with three brothers – Bill, Tom, and Kirk.

Marlene graduated from Washington High School in Sioux Falls in 1952. At age 17, she went to Patricia Stevens Secretarial College in Omaha, Nebraska, with her friend Dee. She was recruited to work for the Navy Department/Marine Corps in Washington, D.C., as a civilian and also worked at the Pentagon for Marine Corps Aviation.

While there, she met Larry Van Tassel on a blind date. Larry was in the Air Force and from Long Island, New York. Love blossomed, and they married in 1954. They moved to Minnesota, where Larry attended the University of Minnesota. Marlene worked in the service department at the Chrysler Corp/Dodge Division.

After eight years of marriage, they had three children in the next 6 years – Peri, Lara and Jason. They lived in Minnesota, New York, Minnesota again, and North Carolina. While in North Carolina, Larry died in 1977.

Marlene then moved the family to Sioux Falls, where her family was. She worked for a welcoming service and Citibank as a security secretary.

After ten years, Marlene reconnected with Wayne Marquesen, who had once been Larry’s boss. Wayne was a widower. Marlene and Wayne married in late 1987 and had great adventures for twenty-five years. They traveled, found treasures and items for their many collections, and Wayne’s artwork at flea markets and antique stores. They enjoyed a full retirement.

Wayne died in 2011. Marlene moved from their apartment to independent living at the Good Samaritan Lodge. She lived there for 10 years and then moved to assisted living in 2024, when she celebrated her 90th birthday.

Marlene loved to travel. She visited China, Germany, France, Africa and Norway with family and friends. She enjoyed her garden – making wonderful cucumber relish – and had an extensive doll collection.

She volunteered for the Sioux Valley Hospital Auxiliary, working in the gift shop for over 28 years and serving as president of the group for one year. Marlene taught water aerobics at the apartment’s pool for eight years and volunteered at the polling booth. She was a lifelong Lutheran (also attending a Presbyterian church while living in New York and North Carolina) and is currently a member of Peace Lutheran in Sioux Falls.

Marlene is survived by her children Peri, Lara (Brian) and Jason (Christine), her brother Kirk (Jan), grandchildren Graeme (Hayley), Abby, Aidan, Sofia (Simon), Emma (Holden), Jay (Lacey) and Nick (Jennifer), great-grandson Truett, as well as a niece and several nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Art and Doris; husbands, Larry and Wayne; brothers, Bill (Ona) and Tom (Margaret); daughter-in-law, Marcy Campbell; and step-sons, Stephen (Marka) and John.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Feeding South Dakota.

Marlene’s memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM, with a visitation beginning at 10:00 AM, on Friday, November 6, 2026, at Miller Southside Chapel, located at 7400 S. Minnesota Avenue, Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57108.

Marlene’s cremated remains will be interred at the Hills of Rest Cemetery in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.