Longwood Morton

Marlene Agnes Longwood Morton went to join her Lord and Savior in Heaven after a valiant battle with cancer on December 4, 2016. Her devotion to her family and her firm belief in God supported her during her struggle and ultimately gave her peace. Marlene was born to the late Walter Longwood and Judith Kilness Longwood, a cattle rancher and a schoolteacher respectively, in Perkins County, South Dakota on November 15, 1936. From an early age she was immersed in the Christian community and a close-knit family that would be her lifelong support. As a child in rural South Dakota she was raised in the Lutheran Church, and later found a home for over 40 years at Calvary Temple (now Citypoint.Church), a non-denominational Christian church in Denver, Colorado. Marlene graduated from South Dakota State University in 1958 with a double major in Home Economics and Journalism. She spent her career writing for local newspapers, including many years as the food editor and later editor for the Sentinel Newspapers. Her subsequent career focused on writing for the Western Dairy Council. She retired from her journalism career in 2010. Marlene married former Navy 2nd Class Petty Officer and artist/sculptor William Morton VIII, on April 11, 1959 at the Rosebud Church in Perkins County, South Dakota. For over 57 years, Marlene and Will were best friends, sharing a faith in their Lord Jesus and a vision for their life together. They were each other’s most ardent supporters and an example for everyone they met of what a life partnership should be. Marlene and Will raised their four children with an emphasis on strong family values, education, and artistic pursuits. From the very beginning, Marlene dedicated her children to God and encouraged them to explore the wisdom of the gospels. Marlene had a heart of compassion and a spirit for service. She was kind and generous with a special gift for ministering to those who needed shelter, Christian guidance, and the intercession of prayer in their lives. A passionate reader and lifelong learner, she studied the Bible deeply throughout her life and her prayers were powerful and impactful. She was a servant for the Lord in both her church and personal life, praying and witnessing for Jesus in every situation. Marlene also loved and celebrated the beauty she found in music and nature. She created elegance in her home and for the many mealtime events that she hosted. Marlene was a talented seamstress, sewing everything from clothing, curtains, or toys to wedding dresses for herself and her daughters. She loved flowers and plants, cultivating beautiful gardens in her yard. Marlene is survived by her husband, Will Morton; her three daughters Thalassa Naylor (Patrick Buckingham), Ciel Senechal (Tim), and Tierra Lalk (Burton); her son Will Morton (Sheila); and eight grandchildren Max Naylor; Isabelle and Will Senechal; Kris, August, and Johanna Lalk; Ava and Liam Morton. She is also survived by her five siblings, Shirley Harris, Merle Longwood, Mary Ellen Jibben (Bob), Carol Martin, and Lester Longwood (Sharon). The family encourages donations to two of Marlene’s favorite Christian Charities – Samaritan’s Purse www.samaritanspurse.org and Courage Worldwide www.courageworldwide.org