There are some people whose greatest strength is not found in how loudly they live, but in the quiet consistency with which they love, persevere, and care for the people around them. Marilyn Carol Clanton was such a woman. She was humble, honest, respectful of others, and remarkably strong, a person who always looked for the answer rather than giving up when life presented a challenge.

Marilyn passed away on August 13, 2026, in Rapid City, South Dakota, at the age of 91. Born on August 8, 1935, she spent her life building a family, pursuing the things she loved, and remaining true to the values that defined her.

Marilyn grew up in Burke, South Dakota, where one of her great passions took root: raising horses. She loved horses and became an accomplished barrel racer, competing in several rodeos. The sport demanded courage, determination, timing, and a willingness to take risks—qualities that reflected the strong woman Marilyn was throughout her life. Her love of horses was more than a passing interest; it was part of who she was and a connection to the South Dakota upbringing she cherished.

Marilyn later attended the National College of Business in Rapid City, and it was there that her life took an especially meaningful turn. She met Charles William Clanton, the man who would become the love of her life. Their relationship grew into a marriage that would span more than six decades.

Charles often said how lucky he was to have Marilyn as his wife for 63 years and as the loving mother of their son, Rodney. Their marriage was a testament to the enduring commitment they shared. On July 20, 2026, just weeks before Marilyn’s passing, Charles and Marilyn celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary, a remarkable milestone and a beautiful final anniversary in a marriage filled with love and devotion.

Marilyn was known for her honesty and respect for others. She was a very transparent individual, what you saw was what you got. There was no pretense about her. She was genuine, straightforward, and true to herself. Her humility was one of her defining qualities, yet beneath that humble nature was a woman of tremendous strength. She always looked for the answer and faced life’s circumstances with determination.

She also had a wonderful appreciation for a good story. Marilyn loved to read books, particularly mysteries, and could lose herself in a book for hours. Reading offered her both enjoyment and an opportunity to explore stories and possibilities beyond her everyday world.

But horses and books were only part of the life she enjoyed. Marilyn had a nurturing side that was evident in her love of raising horses and in the way she cared for the people closest to her. She valued family, treasured her relationships, and devoted herself to the people who mattered most.

Marilyn is lovingly survived by her husband, Charles William Clanton, with whom she shared 63 years of marriage.

She is also survived by her son, Rodney and (Lorie) Clanton of Box Elder, South Dakota, her granddaughter, Sarah Bomford and her grandson, Eric Clanton of Denver, Colorado. Her two nieces, Michele (Joe Genereaux) and Kori (son, Tate Simonson).
For Marilyn, family was at the heart of her life, and the love she shared with it remains among her most enduring legacies.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, Leonard and Genevieve Bancroft. She was also preceded in death by her three brothers, Daryl Bancroft, Larry Bancroft, and Ronald Bancroft, and her sister, Sharon Bell.

The story of Marilyn’s life is ultimately a story of perseverance, authenticity, and love. She was a woman who did not need recognition to know her own worth. She lived honestly, treated others with respect, and remained steadfast through life’s changes. She was strong without needing to prove it, humble without diminishing herself, and loving in ways that were often found in the everyday moments shared with those closest to her.

Her family will remember the woman who loved horses and the thrill of barrel racing, the girl who grew up in Burke, the student who met her future husband at the National College of Business, the wife who shared 63 years with Charles, the mother who loved Rodney, the grandmother who cherished Eric, and the woman who could settle into a good mystery and disappear into its pages.

They will remember her as she truly was: honest, respectful, humble, strong, and genuine.

And perhaps one of the most beautiful things about Marilyn’s story is that, only weeks before her passing, she and Charles were able to celebrate the life they had built together. Sixty-three years of marriage is more than a number, it represents thousands of ordinary days transformed into a lifetime of shared memories, challenges faced together, joys celebrated together, and a love that endured through it all.

Marilyn leaves behind a family who will carry those memories forward. Though she is no longer here to create new chapters, the chapters she wrote with Charles, Rodney, Eric, and the rest of her family will continue to be read and remembered for generations.

Services:

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at West River Funeral Directors Chapel, 420 East Saint Patrick Street, Suite 107, Rapid City, South Dakota.

Interment will follow at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, South Dakota.

Friends and family are invited to sign the online guest register and leave written condolences at WestRiverFD.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Dean Moncur and the compassionate staff of West River Funeral Directors in Rapid City, South Dakota.