Ann Deckert

Ann Deckert, 87 of Marion, passed away on May 24, 2023 at the Tieszen Memorial Home, Marion. Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 PM Monday, May 29, 2023 at the Tieszen Memorial Home Chapel, Marion. Funeral Service have been changed to 10:30 AM Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at Emmanuel Presbyterian Church, Marion. In Lieu Of Flowers, memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society or the National MS Society. Arrangements provided by Hofmeister-Jones Funeral Home.

Ann Marie Schlunsen Deckert passed away surrounded by family on the evening of Wednesday, May 24, 2023. She was born August 31, 1935 to Victor Lee Schlunsen and Gertrude Marie Kurtz Schlunsen in Sioux Falls, SD. She attended all twelve years of school in Marion, SD, graduating Marion High School in the spring of 1953. After high school graduation she attended an Aeronautics and Business School in Omaha, NE. Upon completion, she returned to Marion where she began work for Turner-Hutchinson Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Now Southeastern Electric Cooperative).

In 1957 Ann married Allen Boyd Deckert, also known as Buzz, and their son, Michael, was born in 1965. At this time Ann left Turner-Hutchinson and later in 1966 Ann and Buzz purchased the Home Cafe in Marion from a fellow classmate, Walter Schmidt. Shortly after purchasing the cafe they were able to add a catering service that helped serve the local community. They enjoyed many years running the cafe and catering service, making many wonderful memories and becoming close with so many people that become very special friends. Their employees became family and were always apart of their life. In 1981, Ann was award with Marion’s Eminent Citizen Award, presented by the Marion Community Club.

In 1982 they sold the Home Cafe and Ann returned to Turner-Hutchinson Electric Coop. Buzz’s health was failing and and passed away a couple of years later, in 1984. At this time Ann started a second job at Fensel’s Wholesale Florist in Freeman, SD where she worked evenings. After 30 years, Ann retired from Southeastern Electric Coop. (formerly Turner-Hutchinson) in 2001 but continued working at Fensel’s all the way up to shortly before her passing.

Ann lived in Marion all of her life, with the exception of five years when she moved to Tea, SD to be closer to her grandchildren and help with with her son, Mike. Mike was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in 1997. In 2010, Mike’s conditioned worsened and he moved into Tieszen Memorial Home in Marion. At this time, Ann moved back to Marion.

Ann was an active member of Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Marion for many years where her grandfather Rev. Aaron Kurtz was the pastor when she was born. When BCR Church closed in 2014 she became a member of Emmanuel Presbyterian Church in Marion. Ann was also member of the American Legion Auxiliary and became a member of the Tieszen Memorial Home Auxiliary when her sone Mike became a resident there. She found the work at TMH an extremely rewarding experience. Ann also helped organize the Marion Alumni Organization and was a longtime, active member in that organization as well. She too great pride in the yearly June reunions she helped to plan and was proud of the success it has had.

In Ann’s free time she enjoyed crafting and loved to decorate for each season and holiday. She loved to host brunches and dinners for friends and family and really enjoyed scrapbooking for family and family history. Her greatest joy was spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Ann is preceded in death by her parents, Victor Lee Schlunsen and Gertrude Marie Kurtz Schlunsen, her husband Allen Deckert, her son Michael Deckert and her brother Victor (Bud) Schlunsen.

She is survived by daughter-in-law Beth Deckert. Her grandchildren Hunter (Taylor), Chase and Brooke Deckert. Her great grandchildren Carson and Cameron Deckert. Her sister-in-laws Judy Schlunsen Sinning, Betty Painter, Marianne Smith, and Judy Jones. Her cousin’s Candace Schlunsen Cochran and Carole Schlunsen Nesheim. And her Home Cafe Family, Numerous nieces and nephews and her very special friends.