Marilyn Mae Gerjets, 78, of Brookings, SD passed away Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at Avera McKennan Hospital, Sioux Falls, SD.
A memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 5,at First United Methodist Church in Brookings, SD. Visitation will be held one hour prior from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Friday, July 5,at First United Methodist Church in Brookings.
Marilyn Mae Sol was born on April 23, 1946, in Sibley, IA, the daughter of Kennth and Kathleen (Hyink) Sol. Marilyn lived in Sibley until she moved to Brookings to attend SDSU in the fall of 1964. At SDSU, she received a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Mathematics. While attending college she met the love of her life - Dennis Gerjets. They were married on Dec. 27, 1966. Marilyn graduated in February of 1968. Within days of graduation, Marilyn flew to Japan to join her husband who was stationed at Atsugi Japan Naval Air Station. She lived in Japan with Dennis until May of 1970. During this time, she taught math and physics at the DOD school on the Army Base - Camp Zama. In the fall of 1970, Marilyn became a graduate assistant in the Mathematics Department while working on her Master’s degree. She received her degree in 1972.
Marilyn and Dennis met two couples, Bill and Joyce Ramige and Dale and Voni Swanson, during this period, and over the years have enjoyed traveling with them — including cruises to the Panama Canal, Mexico, Baltic Sea, Hawaii and Alaska. Shortly before Marilyn passed, Dale, Voni, Dennis and Marilyn got to spend a final trip out to the Black Hills together one last time.
She was employed at 3M for 37 years and worked there until her retirement in February 2009. During her employment, she worked on Inventory Accounting and IT, supervising the Inventory Accounting Dept. and being one of the two co-leaders on a large IT project for the Brookings Plant.
Marilyn served on the Brookings School Board, Advance Board, Church Finance, Church Board of Trustees, the Retirement (URC) Board and the State College Development Association. Marilyn was also a member of PEO for years. She enjoyed traveling and also spending time with Dennis fishing and sometimes hunting.
Marilyn is survived by her husband, Dennis Gerjets of Brookings, SD; her children, Daniel (Connie) Gerjets of Brookings, SD, Susan (David) Schmidt, of Flandreau, SD and Nickalous (Laura) Gerjets of Brookings, SD; 6 grandchildren, Kiley Kraft, Kennedi Gerjets, Gavin Gerjets, Nadulee Gerjets, Landon Gerjets and Blake Gerjets; her sisters, Beverly (Douglas) Dale of Alburque, NM and Patricia (Kerry) Errington of Lenexa, KS.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Condolences may be sent to the family through www.rudesfuneralhome.com.
