Marilyn Joyce Booth-Thoensen

The daughter of Harold and Darlene (Murphy) Ridnour, Marilyn was a lifelong resident of Des Moines. She began her education at Greenwood Elementary School, went on to attend Callahan Jr High School, and graduated from Roosevelt High School. After graduating from Stephens College, in Columbia Mo., Marilyn returned to Des Moines and took a job with KSO radio, she later went on to work for Northwestern Bell Telephone Co. During this time she met and later married Wesley Booth. Their marriage would last for forty years until Wes’s death in 1992.

Marilyn and Wes raised three children, Sally Lu, Susan Lynn, and Benjamin Harold. Upon the birth of her children, Marilyn began her long career as a ‘stay-at-home Mom’ providing a loving and nurturing home environment for her three children, who were the loves of her life.

After being introduced by a mutual acquaintance, Marilyn married David Thoensen in 1994. The two were married for 20 years until Marilyn’s recent death this April. Marilyn and Dave enjoyed many adventures and travels together, including trips and cruises to Europe, Italy, Canada, and Alaska. They enjoyed spending winters in the south and the summers and fall at Dave’s beloved home in the woods off the northern shore of Lake Superior.

Besides her husband Dave, Marilyn leaves her three children, eight grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held Friday, April 24th beginning at 11:00 a.m., at “The Lodge of Ashworth,” located at 909 Ashworth Rd, in West Des Moines.