Marilyn Marie Wooten Havens

December 26, 1934 – January 6, 2025

Marilyn Marie Wooten Havens passed away on January 6th, 2025, in Rapid City, South Dakota with her son, Gary by her side. She was 90.

Marilyn was born in Pomona, California, to Edith Mae Evans Wooten and Richard Melvin Wooten. She grew up in Pomona, California and graduated from Pomona High School in 1954. She then moved to Riverside, California. It was there that she met her husband, Bill Havens. Bill graduated from Central High School in Rapid City, SD in 1949 and joined the South Dakota National Guard during the Korean War after which he settled in Riverside California. Marilyn met Bill when he was a dance instructor for Arthur Murray Dance School and they were married in 1955 in Riverside, California. They then moved to Rapid City.

Bill worked at Dakota Steel in Rapid City while he and Marilyn raised three children, Terry (Joel) Tannenholz, Mari Havens and Gary Havens (Leslie.) Marilyn declares of her children that “All are so precious! We were very proud of you!” Marilyn is survived by her three children, grandchildren (Amanda, Ryan, Ashlee, and Kailah and her husband Taylor) and her great-grandchildren (Alana, Aiden, Quinton, Morgan, Eliza, Evelyn, Everley, Elianah, Everett and Elaylah.) She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Bill and her parents and grandparents.

Marilyn enjoyed writing poetry and assisting with the Girl Scouts (Brownies) and Boy Scouts. She was a member of the Church of Christ and a devout Christian. And beyond her beloved role as a devoted stay-at-home mom, Marilyn was a tireless political activist with deeply held conservative values. She was a member of, and held leadership positions in, a variety of organizations including Right to Life, Rushmore Toastmistress, Eagle Forum, and Women’s Forum. Over 5 decades, through more than 400 letters to the editor that she penned, she championed causes that were close to her heart. She wrote about politics, elections, war, education, feminism, pro-life issues, and the sanctity of traditional families. She was featured in several Rapid City newspaper articles about many of these topics because she had developed herself as an expert on the issues through self-education, service in her community, and speaking engagements. Marilyn has been referred to as “the Queen Bee of the right-wing movement.” In one interview for the Rapid City Journal, the writer asked her about this right-wing title and, after first joking that she’s more of an “albatross around the libbers’ necks,” she more thoughtfully offered that she’d rather be called “a conservative, concerned, patriot.” And along with all her other titles, that’s what she was. Her voice was a beacon of conviction and strength, inspiring all who knew her and leaving an indelible mark – even on the ones who disagreed with her. Marilyn's legacy of passionate advocacy will continue to inspire us all.

Visitation will be at noon and funeral services will begin at 1 pm on Wednesday, January 8th, 2025 at Behrens Wilson Funeral Home with Terry Harmon of the Church of Christ officiating. Burial will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery.

The family of Marilyn wishes to extend our sincere thanks to St. Martin’s Village skilled nursing team, the Monument Health Hospice organization, her neighbors Arden and Tammy Davis, and all of those who have prayed for her at the Church of Christ.