Marjorie Anne (Nelson) Sippel of Beresford, SD, passed away peacefully on January 1, 2020 at her home in Beresford.

Born in Beresford, SD on December 29, 1930 to Melva and Jimmie Nelson, Marjorie grew to become known by many as the "singing lady". Prior to graduating from Beresford HS in 1948, she worked delivering milk and helping in the hardware store. In 1947 she won "The Farmer's Daughter" contest, winning several prizes from local businesses including a trip to Rapid City. After high school, Marjorie attended Augustana College and the University of Vermillion.

On August 29, 1949, Marjorie married Waldemar Gamaliel Sippel. Their wedding was the first wedding in the newly built Emmanuel Lutheran Church. While majoring in music at the University, Marjorie was heard on WNAX regularly as the "Singing Lady" teaching songs to children in the region. The couple eventually moved to Brookings raising their four children, Mark, Diane, Kevin, and Walter. After a brief employment at the local Gambles hardware store, Marjorie returned to music education. She taught at Brookings Middle School and then at the elementary schools.  In addition to raising the family and working in the schools, Marjorie blessed many with her musical talent and generous spirit.

After retirement, Marge & Wally returned to Beresford to build a new home on the Nelson farm. Marjorie continued to share her musical gifts in Beresford by playing in the bell choir and leading songs at Bible study. Her volunteer activities included music club, helping with scouts and 4H, church choirs, study club, Circle, Senior Citizens, and hand bell choir. One often found Marjorie helping those in need. Whether setting another place at the table, providing work for a needy person, or giving someone a ride, she did so cheerfully.

Marjorie was preceded in death by her parents, Melva and Jimmie Nelson; brother, Roger; grandson-in-law, Adam Poston; sister-in-law, Jean Nelson; granddaughter, Deborah Peterson; and husband, Waldemar.

She is survived by her four children, Mark Sippel and wife Diane Freeman of Denver, CO, Diane Peterson and husband Arnold of Jasper, MN, Kevin Sippel and wife Carrie of Gresham, OR, and Walter Sippel and wife Carol of Renton, WA. Also surviving are her grandchildren, Rebekah (Travis) Nolen, Amber (Douglas) Palacios, Andrew Peterson, Autumn Poston, Joel (Sarah) Sippel, Corey (Angela) Sippel, and Mark Sippel; great- grandchildren, Lexis and Ekoe Nolen, Trevor and Cassidy Sippel, Lola and Rafe Sippel; step-great- grandchildren, Cindy and Douglas Palacios; and her siblings, Joyce (Roger) Klinghagen and Ronald Nelson.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00AM Saturday, January 4th at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Beresford.  Visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00PM Friday, January 3rd at Emmanuel Lutheran Church with a prayer service at 7:00PM. The family requests memorials to the Children's Museum of South Dakota at 521 4 ^th Street, Brookings, SD  57006 or online here.