Marlene Ruth Stark
Marlene R. Stark, 78, of Grand Island, died on Monday, August 28, 2023 at the Good Samaritan Society in Grand Island.
Memorial services were held on Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Grand Island. Reverend Adam Snoberger officiated. Jeri Erickson was the organist.
Congregational hymns included “The Old Rugged Cross” and “Just a Closer Walk with Thee.”
Inurnment was in the Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Grand Island. Honorary pallbearers included Jordan Norman, Jaylynn Norman, Zach Ross, Trace Norman, Trevor Norman, Ashlynn Norman, Jessica Norman, and Addilynn Norman.
The family requests, in lieu of flowers and plants, that memorials be given to the family for later designation.
Peters Funeral Home of St. Paul assisted the family.
Marlene was born on December 18, 1944, northwest of Worms, the daughter of Fred and Helen (Aldag) Oberschulte. She grew up on the family farm and began her education at Zion Lutheran parochial school in Worms. Following the death of her father in 1954, she moved with her mother and siblings into Grand Island, where she attended Jefferson Elementary School, Walnut Junior High School, and graduated from Grand Island Senior High in 1963. She was united in marriage to Leslie D. “Les” Stark on October 12, 1963 at Grace Lutheran Church in Grand Island.
The couple first lived in Grand Island, later moving to North Platte. They returned to the Grand Island area in 1969. Over the years, she worked as a cook in the employee cafeteria at First National Bank, then at Rinder Printing. She retired from Kohl’s. The couple also resided in Central City for a brief time.
Les died on December 2, 2016. In 2017, Marlene moved into Grand Island and, in 2020, she moved to Good Samaritan Society, where she lived the rest of her life.
She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and a former member of the Platt-Duetsche in Grand Island.
She enjoyed camping, fishing, and attending her grandchildren’s school activities.
She is survived by her two daughters and sons-in-law, Deb and Todd Norman of Grand Island and Becky and Jeff Westwood of Waco; a granddaughter, Jordan Norman and her fiancé, Zach Ross of St.
Paul; a grandson, Trevor Norman and his wife, Jessica of Grand Island; four great-grandchildren, Jaylynn, Trace, Ashlynn, Addilynn, and one more on the way; sister, Lorraine (Schleichardt) and Lee Krecklow of Grand Island; brother, Mel and Lorraine Oberschulte of Grand Island; and sisters-inlaw, Arlene Carriker of Grand Island and Janet and Steve Rainforth of Doniphan.
In addition to her husband, Les, she was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Evelyn and Freddie Weber; brothers-in-law, Don Schleichardt and Orlo Carriker; and two nephews, John Weber and Dale Carriker.
The Phonograph-Herald | September 6, 2023