Marlene Rae Bukstein

Marlene Rae Bukstein (nee Goldstein), age 75, of New Hope, passed away from a ruptured cerebral aneurysm on August 5, 2024. While exercising with her longtime coach, Brian, it suddenly leaked and struck her down. Marlene met her future husband, Jim, in 3rd grade at Willard Elementary and graduated from Minneapolis North High School. Much later in life, while raising a family of four children, she earned her degree in Information Management by attending night school at St. Catherine College. While her children were going through nursery school, she worked there to be with them. Similarly, with her children going to Herzl Camp for years, she spent many summers working there to be with her kids. She was a tireless volunteer for many organizations. "If you need something done, call Marlene", was frequently heard in the community. She was especially happy being a greeter at Beth El Synagogue every week. For decades, she welcomed and personally greeted everyone arriving. She never was discouraged despite repeated severe medical problems and many surgeries. Because of disease and neuropathy, her damaged feet made walking difficult, but that never slowed her down. If someone told her, "You can't do that", she delighted in proving them wrong, including winning a "Dancing with the Stars" contest with her husband. A strong woman of action, her mottoes were "just do it" and "go for it", and this is how she lived her life. She had a zeal for life and lived it with gusto. She loved to travel, especially enjoying long car trips and cruises, and she delighted in going on adventures with her grandkids, either in town or across the country. She would never turn down an opportunity for new, exciting challenges. Being an expert at sewing, she delighted in making beautiful personalized embroidered shirts for each grandchild's birthday featuring their age, favorite color, and characters. She made amazing activity books for them using special creativity. Her greatest love was doting on her seven beloved grandchildren. Marlene is gone way too soon - she really enjoyed life, especially her kids and grandkids, and is greatly missed. Survived by husband of 53 years, Jim; brother, Howard Goldstein; sister, Rose (Daniel) Sloven; children, Andy Bukstein, Amy (Ben) Rajkowski, Ben (Jennifer) Bukstein, and Cari (Travis) Rohe; and grandchildren, Reuben Bukstein, Delilah, Ilsa, Sylvia and Solomon Rajkowski, and Logan and Charlotte Rohe. Preceded in death by parents, Morey J. and Nellie Harriette Goldstein; granddaughter, Ava Scarlet Rohe; and brother, Stephen Wayne Goldstein. Donations in her memory can be made to your favorite organization. She was active in Hadassah, Beth El Synagogue, and Heilicher Minneapolis Jewish Day School. Special thanks go to her Endocrinologist, Dr. Sidney Jones, who was her virtual life saver for decades. Thank you also to everyone at North Memorial Neuro ICU for their loving care. Marlene would like everyone to know: "I was a good sport". Funeral service 10:00 am WEDNESDAY, August 7th at Beth El Synagogue, 5225 Barry St. W., St. Louis Park, and is available on Zoom at: www.hodroffs.com/MarleneBukstein. Shiva 7:00 pm Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday at Beth El Synagogue.