Marlis Jones

Marlis Marie Jones was born on November 11, 1936 to Frank and Wilma (Willroth) Backer in Pipestone, Minnesota. Growing up, Marlis took lessons to play the accordion, which she had her entire life. In the fall of 1953, Marlis won “Outstanding Breadmaker of Minnesota” at the Minnesota State Fair through 4-H. Marlis graduated from Pipestone High School in 1954. On December 16, 1955, Marlis was united in marriage to Donald Jones at the Peace United Methodist Church in Pipestone. Marlis cherished her time at home with her children as they grew up. After they left home, she began working part-time at Loopy’s in Pipestone and the Antique Store. She gained many work friends through the years. Retirement was never in her vocabulary. On Sunday, July 12, 2026, Marlis passed away at Good Samaritan Village in Pipestone at the age of 89 years, 8 months, and 1 day.

Marlis was a member of Peace United Methodist Church in Pipestone. Marlis was skilled in many areas. She loved to cook, bake, garden, feed the birds, and politics! Marlis’s greatest passion was painting. She was a very talented artist.

Marlis will be remembered by her children, Pamela (Terry) Polfliet of Mondovi, Wisconsin, Alan (Kelly) Jones of Pipestone, and David (Michele) of Pipestone; 6 grandchildren, Kristin, Kim, Tyler, Jacob, Lauren and Matt; 12 great-grandchildren, Alyssa, Jay, Isaiah, Kash, Walter, Jayden, Stetson, Lincoln, Chance, Josey, Hatty, and Wiley; and siblings, Donald Backer of Pipestone, Jerry Backer of Brandon, South Dakota, and Bob (Jeanne) Backer of Pipestone. She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Jones; granddaughter, Tanya Fey; and parents, Frank and Wilma Backer.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the American Cancer Society.