Marlene M. Camilli

1943 - 2025

Owatonna - Marlene Metta Camilli, age 81, of Owatonna, MN, passed away peacefully at home on July 22, 2025.

Marlene was born August 4, 1943, in Rock Rapids, IA, to Adolph and Viola (Dengler) Berg. She graduated from West Lyon High School in Lester, IA, where she began her love of playing basketball. She attended Morningside College in Sioux City, IA, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree. She was united in marriage to Wayne Camilli on July 8, 1967. They lived in Bryan, OH, for seven years where their three children were born before relocating to Owatonna where they have lived for 50 years.

Marlene touched countless lives through her dedication to service and community and through roles of teacher, coach, Steele County Human Services case worker and many volunteer roles. Her passion for helping others extended through her deep involvement with organizations including the American Cancer Society, American Association of University Women (AAUW), P.E.O. Sisterhood, Owatonna Arts Center, Meals on Wheels, Toys for Tots and Trinity Lutheran Church. Marlene was awarded the Book of Golden Deeds in 2016 by Owatonna's Exchange Club for her commitment to volunteering. She has shown all of us how to be a faithful servant.

To family and friends, Marlene was smart, generous, considerate, thoughtful and quick-witted. She had a unique zest for life enjoying activities such as card club, book club, gourmet club, LTO, water aerobics, traveling and watching her grandchildren do absolutely anything!

Marlene is survived and will be dearly missed by her devoted husband of 58 years, Wayne; her children Clark (Michelle), Brian, and Andrea (Gregg); eight cherished grandchildren: Payton, Sophie, Carson, Chase, Olivia, Kelsey, Reiko, and Frannie; her sister Carolyn (Daryl) Bauer of Sioux Falls, SD; sister-in-law Hazel Berg of Rock Rapids; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers Dwaine (Delores) Berg and Harlan Berg.

A visitation will be held on Monday, August 11, 2025, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Brick-Meger Funeral Home (1603 Austin Rd, Owatonna). Funeral services will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at Trinity Lutheran Church (609 Lincoln Ave, Owatonna) with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Owatonna Arts Center, Trinity Lutheran Church, Owatonna Library Foundation, ALS Association of Minnesota, or Community Pathways.

For more information or to leave an online message of condolence, go to www.megercares.com