Marlys Roskens

Marlys Ann Roskens passed away peacefully at Ava’s House, surrounded by her three loving children. Born to Elmer and Audrey (Johnson) Serreyn in Tyler, Minnesota, on June 29, 1949, she was the oldest of nine children. Her father died in an accident when she was five, after which her mother married Roy Steffes and the family settled in the Ivanhoe, Minnesota area. Marlys cherished memories of playing outside with her siblings and cousins, and as a teenager she loved dancing at the Showboat Ballroom in Lake Benton, a passion for music and concerts that stayed with her throughout her life.

She graduated from Ivanhoe High School in 1967 and from Canby Vocational-Technical School in 1968. After moving to Sioux Falls, she worked for Dan Dugan Transport and later provided daycare in her home, forming deep bonds with the children she cared for. In January 1969 she met the love of her life, Robert (Bob) Roskens, and they married on May 29, 1971. Together they raised three children—Denise, Jeff, and Troy—who were their greatest source of pride. The family enjoyed couples bowling, dancing, and supporting their children’s activities. In 1987 they moved to Freeman, South Dakota, where Bob served as business manager for the school district until his untimely death from a heart attack in September 1988.

In 1992 Marlys returned to Sioux Falls with her children and enrolled at the University of Sioux Falls, graduating with honors and a Bachelor of Arts degree in education. She later earned a Master’s degree in Reading Teacher Education while teaching full time. She began her career at Franklin Elementary as a Title One reading teacher and became a Reading Recovery teacher, a role she treasured. She later taught at Terry Redlin Elementary and spent many rewarding years at Hayward Elementary, where she shared a classroom with her dear friend Shirley Erickson. A passionate advocate for literacy, Marlys gave books to every child she knew and tutored many others in her home, finding deep joy in watching them become confident readers. She retired from teaching in 2017.

Above all, Marlys was proud of raising her three children as a single mother and of their many accomplishments, especially that each graduated from university. She treasured family trips, including a journey to Italy for her son’s wedding and a recent visit to Hawaii, fulfilling a lifelong dream. Her greatest joy arrived in October 2024 with the birth of her grandson, Neil Finn. She is survived by her children, Denise Roskens of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Jeffrey Roskens of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Troy Roskens (Amanda Johnson) of Denver, Colorado; her grandson, Neil Roskens-Johnson; her siblings; sisters-in-law and brother-in-law; and many nieces, nephews, and dear friends who were like family. She was preceded in death by her husband Robert Roskens, her parents, and several siblings and in-laws.