Marilyn Hillestad, age 83, died Monday, August 19, 2013, at her home in Brookings. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, August 23, 2013, at First Lutheran Church in Volga, with interment in Oslo Lutheran Cemetery, rural Volga. Visitations will be at First Lutheran Church in Volga from 6-9 p.m. Thursday. Eidsness Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Marilyn Hannah Naomi (Friedrich) Hillestad was born March 5, 1930, near Aurora, South Dakota, to Wilhelm and Lydia (Hinkeldey) Friedrich. She attended country school through 8th grade, at which time she helped on the family farm. On December 28, 1951, she married Gordon Hillestad at her parents' home near Aurora. She and Gordon farmed south of Volga where Marilyn performed the many tasks of being a farm wife and mother, including: gardening, canning, and cooking for her family (and whoever else might happen to stop by the farm). In addition to cooking for friends and family, she remembered them by sending cards for every occasion. She especially enjoyed time spent with her grandkids and great-grandkids. Marilyn and Gordon moved to Brookings in March 2013. Marilyn was baptized and confirmed at First English Lutheran Church in Aurora. After their marriage, she and Gordon worshipped at Oslo Lutheran Church south of Volga. While attending Oslo Lutheran she was very active in Ladies Aid and taught Sunday School. They later joined First Lutheran Church in Volga. Marilyn was a member of the W.E.L.C.A. and participated in its many activities, such as quilting and the Country Store. Survivors include her husband, Gordon Hillestad, of Brookings; five children: Roger (Tina) Hillestad of Port Byron, Illinois, Ron (Barb) Hillestad of Volga, Ruth (Charles) Sapp of Volga, Renae (Steve) Langland of Bruce, and Rick (Kendra) Hillestad of Volga; 13 grandchildren: Chad (Tara) Hillestad, Heidi (Matt) Erickson, Rhonda (Chad) Wosje, Robin Hillestad, John (Rochelle) Sapp, Jeff (Sarah) Sapp, Laura (Casey) Minor, Larissa (Ben) Miller, Jessica (Bryan) Pecoraro, Jennifer (Pete) DeAnna, Austin Hillestad, Clint Hillestad, and Haley Hillestad; 12 great-grandchildren; a brother, Irwin (Agnes) Friedrich of Rock Rapids, Iowa; and a sister-in-law, Pat Friedrich of Aurora. She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Wilmer, and a sister, Verna.