Marlene E. Kleinke, age 87, of Lakeville, MN, formerly of Grand Rapids, MN and Bemidji, MN passed away Sunday, December 17, 2023, at Trinity Care Center in Farmington, MN.

Marlene was born in Hope, ND February 16th, 1936 to Frederick and Esther Steinke. She was raised and educated in Solway and graduated from Bemidji High School in 1954 and then Bemidji State Teacher's College. Marlene began her career as a 3rd grade elementary teacher in Park Rapids where she met Ronald Kleinke.  On June 6th, 1959 she and Ron were united in marriage.  They moved to Pipestone and then Silver Bay, where she continued teaching. Eventually, Marlene and Ron moved to Bemidji, where she managed her husband's plumbing and heating business.  In 2001, when her husband retired, they relocated to Grand Rapids, MN, and later Marlene moved to Lakeville, MN. Marlene was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Bemidji and most recently a member of Zion Lutheran in Grand Rapids.

Marlene was fiercely proud of her grandchildren and always said she "brought them up well".  She attended their sporting events, music events, played cards and vacationed with all of her grandchildren.  They were the light of her life and she was their Gran.

Marlene is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ronald; sisters, Loraine Lomen, Elaine Steinke, Eilene Larson, Corene Olson, and Arlene Stagg; and her sisters-in-law; and brothers-in-law.

She is survived by her daughters, Diane (Tim) Larson and Denise (Ken) Kappelmann; four grandchildren, Ryan Larson, Reid (Paige) Larson, Ross (Morgan Psyk) Larson, and Max Kappelmann; two step-grandchildren, Kyle Kappelmann and Kaylie Kappelmann; and many sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, and nephews.

A visitation will be held Friday, December 29 at 10 AM at Zion Lutheran Church in Grand Rapids, MN with a funeral service to follow at 11 AM. Rev. Ben Buchanan will officiate. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery in Bemidji, MN.