Marlene Jensen

Funeral services for Marlene (Wolff) Jensen will be held at 11:30 AM on Saturday, April 6, 2019 at First Lutheran Church, Albert Lea.  The Rev. Sean Forde will officiate.  Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service.  Interment will be in Graceland Cemetery.

Marlene died on Wednesday, April 3, 2019 at Episcopal Homes in St. Paul, MN.  She was 87 years old.

Marlene Faye (Wolff) Jensen was born September 1, 1931 at the family farm southeast of Glenville.  Marlene liked to tell the story of Grandma Wolff saying, “You sure can tell that’s a boy by how loudly he’s crying!”  Then she would chuckle delightfully.  Marlene was born to Leonard and Hazel Wolff and was blessed with one beloved sister, Mary Ann.

Marlene attended Glenville Elementary School, Corner School, and graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1949.  She graduated with a master’s degree from Mankato State University.  Upon graduation, she began teaching at Sibley Elementary School in Albert Lea.  She had taught for 28 years at the time of her retirement.

Marlene was active at First Lutheran Church in the altar guild and choir, finance committee, music worship and arts committee, education committee, mother’s club and was the secretary and treasurer of Circle 21 which she was a member since 1956.  She was active in Travel Class, Delta Kappa Gamma, Stairmasters at the YMCA, Silver Sneakers, Anytime Fitness, several book clubs, card clubs, and entertaining friends and neighbors with refreshments and the card game, 500.

Marlene had several dogs and cats over the years, which she loved dearly.  She used to joke that she knew the names of all the neighborhood dogs, even if she didn’t know the names of their owners!  She especially loved Little White Jack and Emma Grace.  In the later years, Marlene derived great pleasure in spending time with grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She had scores of toys for them to play with when they visited.  Marlene truly believed she had the most wonderful children in the world.  They always came to help her and do fun things together.

Marlene and Warren Jensen were married on May 20, 2000.  They had 11 good years together and loved their townhouse on Hale Drive with all the great neighbors.  Warren also loved animals, so Sam, their dog, had a great life.

Survivors include her children, Katherine (Dr. Donald) Greydanus of Portage, MI, Deborah (Dr. William) Rupp of St. Paul, MN, and Mark (Colleen) Rickheim of Woodbury, MN; grandchildren, Marissa, Elizabeth, Suzanne, Megan, Jennifer, Courtney, Christopher, Thomas and Stephen; 17 great-grandchildren; a sister, Mary Ann (Howard) of Chanhassen, MN; nephews, Scott and Dan Olson; and step sons, Ward, Mark, and Paul Jensen.

Marlene was preceded in death by both parents; and husband, Warren.

Marlene was lucky to have such caring friends and family, that enriched her life greatly.  She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to First Lutheran Church Peace and Power, Episcopal Homes Fitness Center or Spiritual Center, or Grace Hospice.