Marlene Maanum

Memorial services for Marlene Maanum, of Farwell, Minnesota, will be held on Monday, January 15, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Morris, Minnesota.  Reverends Nathan Hanson and Michael Hanson will be officiating the service.  A visitation will be on Sunday, January 14, 2024, from 3-5:00 p.m. at the Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday.  Burial will be at the Farwell Cemetery in Farwell, Minnesota.  

Marlene Adeline Maanum was born on December 15, 1938, to parents Alfred and Lottie (Wetterling) Mattson at her home in Nora Township, Pope County, Minnesota.  Marlene was baptized and confirmed at the Covenant Church in Kensington, Minnesota.  She received her education in Kensington, graduating with the Kensington High School, class of 1956.  Following high school, Marlene attended two and a half years of schooling at St. Cloud Teacher’s College.  Upon graduation, she began her vocation in Osseo, Minnesota, teaching for two years.  On August 7, 1960, Marlene was united in marriage to Lyle Maanum at the Covenant Church in Kensington.  They made their home on Lyle’s family farm in Nora Township, near Farwell.  Marlene continued teaching in Starbuck, Minnesota, until they started their family; welcoming three children: Wendy, Wade, and Joel.  Marlene stayed home to help Lyle tend to the farm and raise the family, once the kids were grown, Marlene went back to work part-time, working in various retail businesses. 

Marlene was a member of Kensington LCMC, where she and Lyle were leaders in the church.  In earlier years, Marlene taught Sunday school, was active in the ladies’ aide, played organ and piano at church, and was a 4-H leader.  She loved to be outdoors, helping on the farm, planting flowers, gardening and bird watching.  Marlene was an excellent cook, especially with her Norwegian goodies of flat bread and lefsa and her homemade bread and ice cream.  She and Lyle enjoyed camping, attending county fairs, and traveling. They made trips to many states including: Washington, California, Alaska, and New York, took several bus trips and enjoyed wintering in Texas for several years.  Most importantly, they loved their time spent at any and all activities of their children and grandchildren, and cherished all of the time that she was able to spend with her family.

Marlene died peacefully, surrounded by her family, on Saturday, December 30, 2023, at St. Catherine’s Living Center in Wahpeton, North Dakota.  She was 85 years old.

Marlene is survived by her husband, Lyle of Farwell; children: Wendy Gunderson of Golden, CO, Wade (Jeannie) Maanum of Farwell, and Joel (Jody) Maanum of Farwell; grandchildren: Eric (Megan) Gunderson, Alissa (Darrin) Steffens, Kirsten (Kevin) Tchida, Mitchell (Hayley) Maanum, Brianna (Dan) Petersen, Lacee (Riley) Biesterfeld, Carly (Drake) Meyer, and Jaden Maanum; great-grandchildren: Jack, Vera, Sophy, Quinn, Mason, Brooks, and Maverick; siblings: Rodger (Patty) Mattson of Farwell, Maxine (Les) Wolff of Little Falls, and Gerry (Carla) Mattson of Kensington; and several nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.  Marlene is preceded in death by her parents, Alfred and Lottie Mattson.

 Memorial are preferred to the Salvation Army or Gideons International.

Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in care of arrangements for Marlene.