Marilyn G. Christiansen

Marilyn Grace Connors Christiansen, 82, of Dakota Dunes, South Dakota passed away, Friday, January 19, 2018 peacefully at her home surrounded by her family. Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, January 24, 2018 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Visitation will be 4 to 8 P.M. Tuesday, January 23, 2018 with a Rosary at 4:30 P.M. and a Vigil at 7:00 P.M. all held at the church. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel.

Marilyn was born on June 29, 1935 in Sioux City, Iowa. She grew up with her sister Beverly and brother Bill and her parents, William (Bill) and Irene Connors, on the Connors family farm in Jefferson, SD. She attended Jefferson High School where she met her high school sweetheart Russ Christiansen. Marilyn attended the Minnesota School of Business in Minneapolis. Upon her graduation she returned to South Dakota to marry Russ. They made their first home in Brookings, SD while Russ finished his engineering degree at SDSU.

Following graduation they made their home in Sioux City as Russ began his career in the utility industry. They raised their four children while busy with school and community activities. Marilyn and Russ moved to Des Moines where they lived from 1990-1997 while maintaining a home in Sioux City and then Dakota Dunes where they retired in 1997. Russ died in 2000. Marilyn married Dr. Edward Wiltgen in 2006.

Marilyn will be remembered for her love of music and as a patron of the arts, as a loyal guardian and nurturer of her many friendships, and as an advocate for the vulnerable including the unborn, young mothers, and youth suffering from addiction. Marilyn was a woman of faith, a champion of Catholic education and a gentle Irish matriarch with a great love for her family.

Marilyn is survived by her husband, Ed Wiltgen, her children Lori Christiansen, Lynn (Mike) Lanning, Lisa (Randy) Ramlo and Russ (Melanie) Christiansen her grandchildren Annique, Patrick, Daniel, Hannah, Jean Christophe, Alexa, Connor, Stephanie and Kalenakai and by Ed’s children Lynette, Margie, Missy, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by Russ, her husband of forty-five years; an infant son Ryan; her parents, brother and sister.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to her life may be made to: Jackson Recovery Women and Children’s Center, Briar Cliff University (to support music and arts programs), Heelan High School (to support music, theater and art programs), and the June Nylen Cancer Center (to support purchase of new equipment and technology).