Marlys Bergjord

Marlys Bergjord, age 86, of Tea, SD, passed away March 29, 2023 at the Banner Gateway Medical Center, Gilbert, AZ. Marlys Joan Bergjord was born on August 8, 1936 on a farm near Tea, SD, to Donald and Hilcarrie "Kate" (Meyer) Jongeling. She attended Tea grade school and Lennox High School. Marlys worked in the grocery store in Lennox during high school and played the bell lyre in marching band. She attended SDSU for one year. On March 26, 1958, she was united in marriage to Gordon Bergjord at the Second Reformed Church, Lennox. While Gordon was in the service, the couple lived in El Paso, TX, until Gordon went overseas to Formosa. When he got home, they lived in Monterey, CA, until he was discharged. That was the only time Marlys lived further than 5 miles away from Tea. Gordon and Marlys' first home was in the Hoffman house, where Linda was born. Their second home was the Hanson place, where Judi was born. Cary was born when they lived on the Atkins place. They bought their farm in 1971, where they have lived ever since. In addition to helping Gordon on the farm, Marlys drove school bus and then went back to school to become a music teacher. She graduated in 1978. Marlys taught at the Boys and Girls Club in Sioux Falls, Hurley Schools, Calvin Christian Elementary, Sioux Falls Christian and Lowell School in Sioux Falls. Marlys was an active member of Tea Trinity Lutheran Church, singing in the choir and directing the Handbell Choir and the Men's Chorus, as well as being involved with the WELCA. She was also active in the Tea Historical Society and the Lincoln County Women's Extension Club. Survivors include her husband of 65 years, Gordon, daughters: Linda Bergjord, Winner, SD, Judi Bergjord, Bellvue, NE and Cary (Mike) Specht, Gilbert, AZ; sisters: Lois Ebling and Ruth Martin; as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family, friends and neighbors. She was preceded in death by her parents, Donald and Hilcarrie "Kate" Jongeling and Gordon's parents, Oscar and Rosella Bergjord, and her brother, Roger Jongeling; Gordon's brothers: Donald Bergjord and Roger Bergjord; Gordon's sisters: Esther Wheeler, Mavis VanOort and JoAnn Kangus. Services will begin at 10:00 a.m. Monday, April 10, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Tea, SD, with burial to follow in teh Tea Trinity Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation, also at Trinity Lutheran Church, Tea, with the family present, will be 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, April 9.

Marlys Bergjord

August 8, 1936 - March 29, 2023

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