Marlene Holm

Marlene J. Holm, 79, of West Union died Sunday, September 11, 2016 at her home in West Union. Funeral Services were held Saturday, September 17 at Redeemer Lutheran Church in West Union, with Pastor Rusty Phillips as the Officiant. Inurnment will be held at a later date.

Marlene Joan was born October 31, 1936 to Carl and Maria (Kromm) Schutz in Endicott, WA. Baptism at a local community church followed shortly after her birth. She was confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Endicott, WA. Marlene attended Endicott schools and graduated in 1955. She attended Wartburg College, where she and her husband, Robert, met.

May 30, 1956, Marlene was united in marriage with Robert Holm at Trinity Lutheran Church in Endicott, WA. They were blessed with three children, Theresa, Kimberly and Cynthia.
Throughout their 60 years of married life, Marlene and Robert lived in West Union, from 1960 to 2000, and in Harpers Ferry, from 2000 to 2015. At that time, they moved back to West Union to their current home at 118 Adams Street.

In the early years, Marlene was the business owner of a leather products shop and a woodcraft shop. In addition, she was the secretary for Holm’s State Farm Insurance in West Union.
While living in Harpers Ferry, Marlene was a strong supporter of the local public library. She was an avid reader her entire life, so much so that the library in Harpers Ferry put her initials in the many, many books she read.

Most of all, Marlene treasured being a homemaker and mother. She was a talented seamstress, widely known for her beautiful leather creations, alterations for West Union stores, and whatever was needed. From pictures of dresses they liked, she made beautiful wedding gowns for her three daughters and her granddaughter.

Marlene enjoyed painting and being crafty. She often worked with her daughters and grandchildren on sewing curtains, reupholstering furniture, canning, gardening, and making the best sauerkraut ever.

An accomplished cook, she took pride in preparing home-cooked foods for her family. She was also known to offer the Christmas ham or turkey carcass as the top prize for the winner of the family Spades competitions.

During her earlier years in West Union, Marlene was very involved in youth activities, including Brownies and Girl Scouts, 4-H, teaching Sunday school for decades, and later serving as a Luther League leader. She would volunteer to bake, organize fundraisers and offer assistance wherever it was needed.

A devoted mother and grandmother, she could be found at all of her daughters’ activities, and later on she began attending her grandchildren’s activities and sports outings.

Marlene was known for her keen sense of humor and love of her family. Her grandchildren were her life prizes, and she treasured each of them dearly. She and Bob happily celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in May with their family.

She is survived by her husband, Robert A. Holm of West Union; two daughters, Theresa (Doug) Meyer of West Chicago, IL and Cynthia Holm of West Union; a son-in-law, Keith Hudon of St. Charles, IL; seven grandchildren, Jeremy (Nikki) Meyer, Brittany (Tom) Fiebrandt, Nic Klendworth, Ethan Meyer, Luke Reicks, Tyler Hudon and Rachel Reicks; and one adored great-granddaughter, Vivian Kimberly Meyer.

Marlene was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Maria Schutz; a daughter, Kimberly Hudon, in 2014; and a sister, Betty Wise.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Marlene’s honor may be made to Dolores Tillinghast Memorial Library, 234 North Fourth Street, Harpers Ferry, IA 52146.

Burnham-Wood-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, West Union assisted the family with arrangements.