Marlene Grobbel

Marlene Loretta Grobbel died peacefully on September 23, 2024, at the age of 85 in the same home she raised her family in. She was surrounded by her loving husband, children, and grandchildren. Marlene is survived by her husband, Richard “Dick” Grobbel and siblings Carolee (Paul) Stewart, Pauline Davis, Beverly (Wayne) Nieman, and Ted Schoenherr. Dick & Marlene were married on June 10, 1961. They had four children; Greg Grobbel, Gary (Gloria) Grobbel, Gail (Jeff) Reilly, Gina (Dave) Mac, 9 grandchildren; Olivia, Brad, Rachel, Brooke, Julia, Sean, Natalie, Ava, Lana and 1 great grandchild; Levi. Predeceased by her parents, Paul & Viola Schoenherr and sister Patricia Schoenherr. Marlene Loretta Grobbel was best known for her love of Jesus, the Blessed Mother, her family, and cows. Anyone who met her marveled at her quick wit. She was married to the love of her life, Dick, for 63 years. They epitomized the vocation of marriage and were a loving mother and father to their four children, affectionately referring to one another as “mom” and “dad” long after their children left the home. They enjoyed many hobbies together including square dancing and traveling in their fifth wheel to Needles, California to visit family and friends and later in life, their afternoon “happy hours” often spent together on the back patio looking out at their garden and apple trees. Dick and Marlene also enjoyed volunteering together at their beloved parish, St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Warren. Marlene held many roles at St. Anne’s including Eucharistic Minister, money counter, and Lector. She was a long time member of Christian Mothers and held the role of garage sale coordinator during the Annual Sausage Festival for many years. Above all, Marlene faithfully attended Mass her entire life and recognized the true beauty of the Eucharist; with her daughter noting how captivated she was every Sunday during the consecration. When Marlene wasn’t volunteering, she enjoyed shuffling her papers, saving boxes, decorating for holidays, reading, watching old movies and making her signature apple pies. Marlene had the best sense of humor, almost always finding a way to make a joke, which often included her calling people by a name she made up for them and pretending to casually “smoke” cigarettes with nothing in her hand, though she never smoked a day in her life. Marlene delighted in her family and made the most of every moment with them. Her eyes lit up when she saw her children, grandchildren or great grandchild. Her grandchildren remember being greeted with a big hug and their term of endearment for the day (some of them, like ” hamburger man”, stuck), followed by a tour around the house and garage to see her new cow knick knacks and seasonal decor, most likely purchased at a garage sale. After almost every visit she would reflect on how much she loved her family and how blessed she felt. She had a way of making each one of her family members and friends feel like they were the most special person to her, even until her final days. Marlene is best summed up by the light that has always shown in her eyes, she was truly a light for all who had the gift of being in her presence. In lieu of flowers the family would like a donation to be made to St. Jude cancer research and or the Capuchin Soup Kitchen.

Marlene Grobbel

December 2, 1938 - September 23, 2024