Marlene Josephson

Marlene was born on November 24, 1934, in Lyon County to Carl and Irene (Peterson) Swanson. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith and was a long-time member of Hope Lutheran Church. Marlene graduated from Minneota Public School in 1952 and from the Abbott Hospital School of Nursing in 1955 as a registered nurse. Shortly after graduating from nursing school she was united in marriage with her long-time sweetheart, Allan Gene Josephson, on October 8, 1955, at Hope Lutheran Church in Minneota. They have three children. The couple farmed north of Minneota for all of their married life. Marlene was also the Assistant Director of Nursing at the Minneota Manor when it opened in 1972. After leaving the Manor in 1990 due to health concerns, she started training nursing assistants at Canby AVTI. She enjoyed her role as a teacher and the aspect of sharing her compassion for nursing with the students she taught. Marlene touched the lives of many during her nursing career and was especially proud to have her granddaughter, Katie, enter the nursing profession. Marlene was active in many church organizations, including Jubilation Choir and Altar Guild. She served as President for the Evangelical Lutheran Church Women at Hope Lutheran, as well as being active in the circles and ladies aid. She was also a Prairie Conference Board Member. Her Christian faith was the foundation of her life, and she lived daily in God’s grace. Marlene was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary for over 55 years, News and Art Club, and an active supporter of the Minneota community and the school. Marlene was an avid sports fan. She especially enjoyed the Minnesota Twins and was able to attend a Spring Training Game in Ft. Myers on March 3. She loved to embroider, having made quilts for each of her children and baby quilts for each grandchild. Reading and watching and attending movies and her grandkids activities were other activities she enjoyed. Marlene weekly made Sandy cinnamon rolls for the thirty years that she taught in Ortonville and enjoyed her weekend visits during the school year and the summers she spent at home. Many pounds of her fudge were made as gifts to others as well. Following extensive spine surgery in 2003, Marlene learned to live with a high level of pain and the inability to do the day-to-day things that many of us are able to do. She was a “people person” and enjoyed being with others rather than staying home and thinking about what she was missing. She was the “greeting card queen”, and many remember receiving mail from her over the years. Travelling to visit her family and to the timeshare at Westgate Vacation Villas in Kissimmee each year were highlights for her. She loved going out to eat at area restaurants and was the first to say that she hated to cook, although she loved to bake. Animals were important to Marlene and she dearly loved the family pets throughout the years, in spite of the fur that they shed. She was extremely proud of our “Louise” heritage and reminded all of us the need to use that middle name for the first born girl in each family! Marlene is survived by her husband, Allan; children, Sandra Louise of Minneota, Douglas (Kim), of Grand Rapids, MI, and Dona (Steve) Rehome, of North Mankato; and grandchildren, Kathryn Louise, Kyle, Kelley, and Kara Josephson and Hanna Louise and Claire Rehome. She is also survived by her sisters, Carol (Darrell) Catton, of Plymouth, and Sharon (Robert) Ochocki of Riverside, CA; and her in-laws Marilyn (BT) Russell, of Minneota, and Charles (Joan) Josephson and Lester (Donna) Josephson, of Tucson, AZ. She is preceded in death by her parents, in-laws, and an infant twin daughter. Many nieces, nephews, and cousins also survive her. Memorials are preferred to Hope Lutheran Church, Prairie Home Hospice, or the Friends of the Minneota Library.