Marjorie Jean O'Laughlin (Gjertson), pseudonym-Jorie Jertson, 91, passed away on Tuesday, March 24, 2026. Surrounded by her family in her home of 47 years. 

Marjorie was born August 3, 1934 in the village of Medalia, Minnesota to her parents Melvin and Donna Gjertson. She was the first born of three kids followed by her two brothers James and George. Her family moved to Worthington Minnesota living on the shore of Lake Okabena. Marjorie was a reader and an artist at a very young age. By middle school, she was reading bags of books a week, to her parents dismay, even into the late night. A habit and joy she practiced her whole life. Always a night owl, reading, writing, puzzling, or visiting. It was her “me” time. 

Her first large art project was at the age of 13 when she painted a full wall mural in the lobby of her family owned hotel. By 10th grade she had intellectually outgrown her small school. She was enrolled into a finishing school for her last two years of high school. She became very involved in many events and left her Mark abundantly with her art pieces and literature. Also acting in many plays. She then attended and graduated from Augustana College. Where she made lifelong friends. Some she still kept in touch with all these years later, and where she expanded her talents even more. After college, she went back home to Worthington Minnesota. Where she met her husband, Marty O’Laughlin, by way of a monarch butterfly that had landed on her shoulder. Marty approached her commenting on her beautiful brooch. Which to both of their surprise was a live butterfly, making her last flutter and forever resting right there. The exact butterfly is still a cherished momentum to this day. The two were soon married on January 29, 1935, her daddy‘s birthday. This being the beginning of her wild journey through life. They ventured through Sioux City, Iowa and Montevideo, Minnesota. Starting a handful of small businesses and having five Children, Lawrence, Donna, Timothy, Daniel and Gerald.They finally rested in Rapid City South Dakota in 1979, in the home she picked herself, 917 Columbus St. She took many small jobs and started fostering and caring for disabled veterans and senior citizens. Still finding time to outlet her arts and love of reading. The first grandchild was also born in 1979 and Marge and her daughter Donna then started the first home daycare at 917 Columbus St. She organized and planned many events. Parades, fundraisers, Christmas balls, the parade of trees, newsworthy family and friend gatherings, 38 years of the annual Irish ice cream social. She had a gift shop, an antique store and an art studio. She was a faithful member of a writers group for decades. She became a grandmother of 13 and a great grandmother of 15 and recently a great great grandma, five generations!

In the mix of all this life, she returned to Worthington, Minnesota for sometime where she took care of her, passing father and restored life into the historic Dayton mansion. A property her father had left to her. Eventually, she sold to the city and the Dayton house is now a local museum. She became a published writer and illustrator. Her life passion became her family and her books, she published four books and still has at least six that she was always working on. She won awards anytime she entered her work into competitions. Marjorie‘s last few years were filled with family. Her kids, her many grandkids and her friends. She loved her furry companions, her puzzles, solitaire, Christmas, books, musicals, all her treasures, attending theater shows, and writing her books. She loved butterflies, birds, family pictures, treats, (her favorite being captain crunch) and lots of hugs and kisses. She was loved beyond measure. If you asked her to describe herself, she would say I love my family. I am a mother of five. I am a writer, and I am an artist, but she was so much more than she ever realized. She was the matriarch, the backbone to us all, the love that was always there.

She is survived by her five children, Lawrence Edward O’Laughlin (Jennifer), Donna Marie Mulder, Timothy Michael O’Laughlin , Daniel Paul O’Laughlin , and Gerald Patrick O’Laughlin (Porsha). 

Her grandchildren, Meaggen Lujan (Gabriel), Joshua Mulder (Tami),Tarah Bolt (Grant), Amanda O’Laughlin , Lindsey Yoder (Michael), Jared Rich, Ian Rich, Evan O’Laughlin, Austin Samuels (Natalie), Justin Samuels, Crystal Spurgeon (Bryant), and Morgan Rich. 

Her great grandkids, Isabell “Isa” Lujan, Victoria “Ria” Lampert (Julian), Alexandra “Lexi” Lujan, Sebastian “Baz” Lujan, Nicholas Mulder, Summer Mulder, Garet Bolt, Dylan Bolt, Carson Bolt, Ophelia Spurgeon, Archer Samuels, Fraya Samuels, Noble Samuels, and Octavia Samuels. 

One great great grandchild Cassian Lampert, and one more on the way! 

Most recently a long lost grandchild, Rachel KruKow and her family. 

Many nieces and nephew, great nieces and nephews, and many friends! 

She is preceded in death by both her parents, her two brothers, one great nephew, one grandson, and her husband. 

A visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., on Tuesday, March 31, 2026 at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 1 at South Canyon Lutheran Church live streamed at Marjorie Jean O'Laughlin. Burial will follow at 12:30 at Black Hills National Cemetery.

For those friends who choose to send flowers, please do not include lilies in the arrangements due to allergies.