Zepha Marilyn Monson Swensen

After living a fun - filled, adventurous and world traveling life, Zepha Marilyn Monson Swensen passed away quietly in her home with her family on April 7 2014 at the age of 78. Marilyn was born October 4, 1935 in American Fork, Utah, the second child of Willard Martin and Elda Fox Monson. She was one of four daughters and one son born to Bill and Elda Monson. After graduating from Pleasant Grove High School in 1953 she worked at a doctor's office prior to marrying her high school sweetheart, Morris Dee Swensen, on June 2, 1954 in the Manti Latter-Day Saints Temple. Marilyn then began a 22-year world adventure, following her husband/pilot from one US Air Force flying assignment to another. There lived in Texas, Mississippi, Arizona, Kansas, Nevada, Ohio, and Florida (several of these states more than once), Utah, Okinawa, Japan, North Dakota, and finally Montana. They moved to Great Falls in 1972 where they have lived ever since.

Marilyn and Dee were blessed with three daughters and three sons. An active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Marilyn served in many positions including Relief Society President, Seminary Teacher, Sunday School Teacher, Cub Scout Den Mother and Young Women's Leader. She loved teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to youth and adults alike. In January 2002, Marilyn and Dee served an 18-month Humanitarian Service mission for the LDS church in Kiev, Ukraine, organizing the importation and distribution of medical equipment and services to the hospitals and people of Ukraine. Service toward others was a priority in her life.

Marilyn was an accomplished sculptor, designing, showing and selling handcrafted porcelain dolls. Her specialty was sculpting brides and making small wedding dress replicas to look exactly like the bride on her wedding day. She was also a very talented painter. Although she received many requests to sell her paintings, because of her selfless nature most were given to family and friends. Her collection of family and friends were the true jewels of her life. She and her husband were also very involved in home-based businesses in natural foods and health supplements. Together they owned and operated the Magic Mill and Grain Shop of Great Falls for many years.

Marilyn is survived by her husband of 59 years, Morris Dee Swensen, her children: Kendall (Tammy) Swensen of Winnemucca, Nev., Richard (Sarah) Swensen of Fairfield, MT, Maridee (Clay) Killian of Cedar Hills, Utah, Katrina (Allan) Carpenter of Ulm, Mont., Krystn (Brian) Clark of Smithfield, Utah and Dr. Lars (Kathleen) Swensen of Havre, Mont. She proudly has 31 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren (with four more on the way) and three sisters. Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents Bill and Elda, brother Martin, grandson Jens Carpenter and great-grandson Alexander Carpenter.

Funeral services will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Saints, Great Falls Stake Center, 1401 9th St NW at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 19, 2014. Viewings will be held at Croxford Funeral Home, Great Falls on Friday April 18th from 6 to 8 p.m. and from 10 to 11 a.m. at the chapel prior to the service.