Melva Christensen

Melva (Marsh) Christensen, 83 of Sioux Falls, passed away on Saturday, July 13, 2024 at the Sanford USD Medical Center, Sioux Falls. Funeral Service will be at 11:00 AM Thursday, July 18, 2024 at the Parker United Methodist Church, Parker, with visitation beginning at 10:00 AM. Arrangements provided by Hofmeister-Jones Funeral Home. In Lieu of Flowers, memorials may be directed to the Diabetes Foundation or First United Methodist Church.

Melva Ann (Marsh) Christensen, the daughter of Melvin and Donna (Riepe) Worlie was born January 29th, 1941 in Conde, SD. She grew up and received her education in that area, attending country school until the 4th grade and then attended Conde school through high school.

In 1959, she married Lyle Christensen and moved to Sioux Falls, SD, where they raised two sons on an acreage near Harrisburg. After their divorce in 1984, Melva entered Sioux Falls College where she received a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work and Special Education in 1988. She was employed at Children's Inn for almost 4 years and then accepted the position of Executive Director of Citizen’s Against Rape and Domestic Violence, being there over 8 years. She had been teaching Common Sense Parenting classes at Southeast Technical Institute until 2009.

In 1995 she married Alan Marsh and moved just south of Union Center with her husband.

Melva was a member of the first United Methodist Church in Sioux Falls, a former Sunday School teacher and a member of Harrisburg United Methodist Church, and a former volunteer with the Volunteer and Information Center in Sioux Falls.

She is survived by her two sons Wayne (Gail) Christensen of Laramie, WY, and Joe(Janet) Christensen of Sioux Falls; two grandsons and one great-granddaughter; Two brothers Richard (Jane) Worlie of Conde, and Jerry Worlie of Onida; and special friend and daughter substitute Melanie (Mark) Freiermuth of Oakdale, MN and their two children. She is preceded and death by her parents, her husband Alan,  and sister-in-law Betty Worlie.