Marilyn Mogensen

Marilyn Mogensen was born July 23, 1938, to Ernie and Boots (Bernice Giever) Theel in Pipestone, Minnesota. Marilyn grew up in Jasper, Minnesota, being the only girl with 5 brothers. The three younger boys were born 10 years after her and this is when her caregiving skills began. Marilyn graduated from Jasper High School in 1956.

While visiting her brother, Gene, in San Diego, California, she met one of his fellow Navy friends, Tom Mogensen. Tom and Marilyn were united in marriage on February 23, 1957. This marriage was blessed with three children, Mike, Julie and Becky.

Marilyn was a natural care giver and took care of others before herself. While in California, Tom and Marilyn fostered babies from newborn till the adoption of these babies. Her own children were young and there were lots of tears every time one of the babies left. After a month or so another foster baby came and started the process all over again. There were five different babies and Marilyn would dress them each in a new cute little outfit, blanket and two pacifiers to help the babies make the transition.

Tom, Marilyn and family moved back to Pipestone in 1971. Marilyn found the perfect job, which was being the first person to greet you when you entered the business. She worked as the receptionist at First Presbyterian Church, the Pipestone Vo Tech school and later at the Pipestone Good Samaritan Home. One year before her retirement she became the Good Samaritan's Employee of the Year.

Marilyn deeply treasured her family, friends and neighbors. The coffee pot was always on. She loved spoiling her grandchildren and anyone that came to visit. Everyone loved the food she made and often took requests. She wasn't always the center of the room, but she was always the heart of it. Tom and Marilyn moved to Edgebrook Care Center and once again, Marilyn shared her love of sweets, keeping a candy dish for those that worked at the home and visitors who came to their room. She was not happy unless you took more than one piece. Her presence will be missed deeply by those who had the privilege to love her. Marilyn passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at the Edgebrook Care Center in Edgerton, Minnesota, at the age of 87 years, three months and 20 days.

Marilyn is lovingly remembered by her husband, Tom Mogensen of Edgerton, Minnesota; her children, Mike (Brenda) Mogensen of Welches, Oregon, Julie (Doug) VanderPoel of Pipestone, Minnesota and Becky (Larry) Evans of Pipestone; grandchildren, Mari (Dan) Wagner, Kristin (Jon) Schomacker, Scott (Jessie) VanderPoel, Megan (Jarret) Janke, Kelly (Ben) Hayden, Danny (Kiersten) Mogensen, Aaron (Alejandra) Holtan, Chase Holtan, Whitney (Allan) Cheateawy; great-grandchildren, Avery and Connor Wagner, Kelby, Maddox and Stella Schomacker, Drake, Neva, Renae and Claire VanderPoel, Henry, Eden, Gracie and Sadie Janke, Collins and Briggs Hayden, Maddy Mogensen and Ole Holtan; siblings, Doug Theel of Edgerton, Bill (Kathy) Theel of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Randy (Cozette) Theel of Reno, Nevada. Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, Ernie and Boots Theel; grandson, Thomas Mogensen; brothers, Larry Theel and Gene Theel; sisters-in-law, Carol Theel and Diane Theel; and her nephew, David Theel.