Mary Lou Cole - Marsh, of Sturgis, South Dakota passed away on October 7, 2022, at the age of 81.

Lou was born on January 13, 1941, to Ruby and Chester Cole in the state of Washington.  She considered Sturgis, South Dakota home but also felt a strong connection to her roots in Jacksonville, Florida.

Lou moved with her family to South Dakota when she was 15 years old, and while attending Piedmont High School she met Raymond Curtis Marsh in Rapid City.  He had just returned home from serving our country in the Korean War. They were married on November 1, 1958.  Mary Lou and Raymond were married for 48 years and were the love of each other's lives until Ray's passing on December 31, 2006.

Lou's family started quickly with the birth of their first child Robert James born on April 24, 1959. Denise Laureen was born next on August 18, 1960. Linda June was born next on February 22, 1962.  Holly Lanette was born next November 27, 1963.  Darin Curtis was born next November 8, 1964. Kenneth Chester was the last of her children to be born on January 27, 1970.

As the years passed and the children grew older, Lou was the central figure in their lives and the one that we could all lean on. Anyone who knew them knew that she was a star in their eyes.  Despite her large family Lou always made time for everyone. She always provided support and love for all her family and friends.

Lou held many jobs throughout the years and places she lived. She was a stay-at-home mom for a time when her children were young. She worked for the MPI factory in Rapid City and eventually she retired from the Johnson & Johnson factory in Jacksonville, Florida. After retiring she moved back to Sturgis, South Dakota where she started working as a caregiver to the elderly, planning meals, cooking for them and taking care of their needs. She loved this job most of all and adored all the elderly that she took care of.

Lou enjoyed being a volunteer at the Sturgis Veterans Club. She and the other ladies were affectionately known as the Sandwich Ladies. They were always ready to make sure that the Veterans & their family's had what they needed. Lou was a member of the local Red Hatter's Society and just loved getting all dressed up in her purple clothes and her red hats. She loved spending time with these ladies, and they went on many fun and laughter filled adventures together throughout the years.

Lou liked to Bowl and was on many bowling leagues throughout the years with her family and friends, and she passed the love of bowling to her children as well. Lou would never say no to a night out playing Bingo with friends and family. Lou enjoyed playing the slot machines and loved going up to Deadwood as often as her coins in her purse would allow. She would play all day and then stop for a good meal before heading home.

She loved to Crochet and made the most beautiful Afghans. She enjoyed doing many arts and craft projects and everything she made was beautiful. She enjoyed cake decorating and loved to cook a big meal for the Holidays when family was coming home, because that was truly when she was her happiest. At every family gathering she would pull out the Aggravation Board and marbles and we all knew that it was GAME ON! She has passed this tradition down to her children and now we play with our children at our family gatherings.

Her greatest joy later in life was her grandchildren and great grandchildren.  She gave many of them their first bath and was happiest when she was spending time with all of them at family gatherings.

She is survived by her sister, Bonnie Gail (Paul Joseph) Lehman and their children, Mallisa Ann Cole, Richard Paul Lehmann, Charles Fredrick Lehmann, and David Anthony Lehmann; son, Robert James (Tammy) Marsh and their children, Raymond Marsh, Ryan Marsh, Robert Marsh Junior, Desirae Conzemius, and her great grandchildren, Sharea Conzemius, LillieAnne Dubois, Curtis Dubois, Emily Dubois, Ethen Tyrell, Austin Marsh, Bentley Marsh, Cayden Marsh, and Kaylyn Marsh; daughter, Denise Laureen Marsh and her children, Brandin Campbell, and Julia Marsh; daughter, Linda June (Michael) Wetherbee and their children, Andrew Wetherbee, Jeffery (Dajana) Wetherbee, Taylor (Kerry) Lucas, and her great grandchildren, Carter Wetherbee, Jason Wetherbee, Launa Wetherbee, Parker Lucas, Paisley Lucas, and Claire Lucas; daughter, Holly Lanette (Neil) Williams and their children, Jennifer Rosado and Fiancé James Bowen, Carolann (Larry) Bennett, Alexandra (Elisha) O'Leske, and her great grandchildren, Tyler Reynolds, Emillie-Ray Bowen, Lilly Fusco, Nolan Bennett, Noah O'Leske, Moses O'Leske, Samuel O'Leske, and Lucas O'Leske; Ashley Conner daughter of son, Darin Marsh who preceded her in death and her great grandchildren, Bryson Terryn, and Breanna Terryn; son, Kenneth Chester Marsh and his child, Dakota Marsh; and a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews throughout the United States.

Mary Lou was preceded in death by her parents, Chester Willis Cole, and Ruby Esther Humphrey-Cole-Mclain, her brothers, Charles, and Jackie Lee Cole, her sisters, Barbara Sealy, and Sally Brinkman, husband, Raymond Curtis Marsh, and her son, Darin Marsh.

The family requests that colorful flowers or plants be sent to Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis, SD, where there will be a friends and family gathering for visitation on Tuesday October 18, 2022, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Mary Lou will be laid to rest on Wednesday, October 19, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at Black Hills National Cemetery.

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