Marlys ChristensenMarlys L. Christensen, of Arlington, SD died Saturday March 18, 2017 in Phoenix, AZ.Marlys LaVoy Larson, 81, of Arlington, SD, passed away on March 18, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. Her visitation will be at Trinity Lutheran Church in Arlington, SD on Sunday, March 26 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM. Funeral Services will be held Monday, March 27 at 10:30 AM at Trinity Lutheran Church in Arlington, SD. Marlys celebrated her life in color in her flower garden and her vibrant personality so her family requests that everyone please wear bright colors to her funeral service.Marlys was born on July 16, 1935, on a farm southwest of Lake Preston as the youngest child of George and Lillian (Novak) Larson. She was confirmed at the Lake Preston Methodist Church.Marlys attended Baker # 4 country school through eighth grade. She then attended Lake Preston High School, graduating in 1953, where she was very active in music and journalism activities. She graduated from SDSU with degrees in Home Economics and Art. She taught art classes at Lake Preston and Arlington Schools.She met and married Richard Christensen after he returned from Service in Korea. They were married at the Lake Preston Methodist Church on December 26, 1955, and lived on Bunk Hill Farms south of Arlington until moving to Arlington in 1998. They had two sons and two daughters.She was involved in the farming operation with the family. Marlys was inducted into the SD 4-H Hall of Fame in 2002 after serving as a 4-H leader for 51 years and National Friend of 4-H International in 2002. She was honored as SD Eminent Homemaker in 2000 for her work as SD 4-H International Program Coordinator for 15 years. She also kept busy with Arlington Area Chamber, Happy Dozen and Share 'N Learn Clubs, local and state PTA boards, TLCW and TLC boards, church and community choir, 65 year member and officer of SD Rural Youth and YMW Organization, Purple Minded Sisters Red Hat Club, Kindred Spirits Bible Study, American Legion Auxiliary Chairman and Lifetime Member, and WNAX Woman of the Year.Marlys traveled to Costa Rica five years to interview the 89 CAPS (Central America Peace Scholarships) exchange students SD hosted and taught culture classes three years in Japan at the culture center. Marlys and Dick traveled to Norway and Denmark in 2001 to search for their roots. Following this, Marlys was pleased to publish her book, "As I Remember It." They enjoyed their Frames Plus More business after moving to town.Happy to have shared her life are her husband, Richard, until his death in 2017; her children, Brian (Teresa) Christensen of Arlington, Lorinda Royer (Al Avery) of Parker, CO, Dr. Alan (Karla) Christensen of Watertown and Shellie (Dale) Brandriet of Arlington.She loved her grandchildren and watching their sports and school events. Her grandchildren are Christopher (Kendra) Royer, Kevin (Ashleigh) Royer, Tyler (Mary) Brandriet, Mitchell Brandriet, Logan Brandriet, Brianne Christensen, Cabbot Johnson and Caleb Christensen and Great-Grandchildren, Nevaeh, Julian, Colton and Piper. She is also survived by one sister, Luella (Ralph) Palmer of Parkston, one brother, Verne (Marie) Larson of Parkston; sisters-in-law Betty Mohror of CO, Berdell Christensen of Arlington, Maxine Christensen of Watertown.Waiting for a reunion in heaven is her husband, the love of her life, Richard; her parents, brothers-in-law and wives, Clarence, Howard and Ethyl, Vernon and Doris, Merle and Vivian, Willmer and LaVerne "Sam" Mohror; sisters-in-law and husbands, Clara and Hans Anderson, Chris and John Viggos, Cora and Roy Hemmel, and Florence Larson; God-children, Peter Mohror and Todd Gustafson. We expect the heavens will rumble with this reunion. God bless her memory.