Marlene Louise DeRusha

Marlene Louise DeRusha (Flanders)

Marlene Louise DeRusha of Burnsville, formerly of South Minneapolis, passed away peacefully at home on January 28, 2026, at the age of 90. Marlene was born to Leone and Robert Flanders on October 31, 1935. She was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years Alvin (Al), her parents and brother Richard Flanders.

Marlene lived in South Minneapolis for sixty years and was a true city girl. She and her best friend Everyl would ride their bikes to Nicollet Park where they would sit on the swings and enjoy the popcorn they bought from Curran's Restaurant. In the winter, she would walk to the skating rink and watch her brother Bob play hockey or skate with her friends. She was a fun-loving teenager who enjoyed listening to music with friends, attending sock hops and football games. Marlene was a proud graduate of Washburn High School Class of 1954.

Marlene dearly loved her parents, caring for them throughout her life, and with even greater devotion as they aged. She was especially close to her dad. His two enduring nicknames for Marlene were "sister" and later in life he added "Martini". She inherited her love for dancing from her mom and dad.

The summer when she was 14, Marlene met her future husband Al, when she traveled by train to Wausau, Wisconsin to work in her Grandpa Magel's carnival games. They started dating when they were 17 and were married at the age of 19. Marlene and Al were able to celebrate their 69th Wedding Anniversary a few months before Al's passing. Marlene had her first child at the age of 21; and would have three more children within the next six years. As a stay-at-home mom raising four kids, she juggled an endless to-do list and challenging days, yet through it all she loved being a mom. It was love at first sight the moment she walked into their early 19th Century home on Aldrich Avenue where they would live for over three decades.

She passed along her love of the outdoors to her kids. She thought nothing of packing up the family station wagon and hauling her kids to nearby Lake Harriet Beach where they would swim for hours. In the winter she loved to take them sliding and skating. When her kids learned to ski at Hyland Hills, Marlene saw the great fun they were having and taught herself to ski. Winter was by far her favorite season. It was rare that the inclement weather would deter her from being outside. Marlene loved being out in the" brisk air", taking

a walk or shoveling the newly fallen snow. Yes, she actually loved to shovel! She would often exclaim "people in Florida have no idea what they're missing"!

Once her kids were older, Marlene enjoyed having more time to spend with her dear friend Marie McDonald. She looked forward to their daily walks around Lake Harriet. When their son Gregg's dog Maggie came to live with her and Al, it was life changing. She quickly became a beloved member of the family. Marlene and Maggie forged a strong and loving bond that became a source of comfort, loyalty and unconditional love. Marlene relished taking her for a walk to the Rose Gardens, where she took great delight in letting Maggie off her leash so she could enjoy running around.

Once grandchildren came along, Marlene found immense joy in being a part of their lives. She was the "fun" grandma. She enthusiastically said yes anytime she was asked to watch one or more of her grandkids. She especially loved taking them to a park where they would play for hours. It was rare if their day together didn't end with a stop at McDonalds. Some of her happiest times were summer days at Shady Oak Beach with her grandkids and her daughter Julie. Marlene would always have a wad of dollar bills that she would happily dole out to buy ice cream and candy. She rarely missed a school concert or sporting event. Marlene especially loved Christmas shopping for her family. Fun pajamas, cozy sweatshirts, and socks were her go- to gifts.

Marlene and Al loved to travel. They traveled the country extensively, visiting many significant sites. They especially loved the one week each winter they would spend in St. Pete Beach, Florida. In the late 70's, they discovered the charming town of Alma, Wisconsin. They spent many glorious days in their boat cruising the Mississippi River. Alma became a favorite get-away for three generations of the DeRusha family.

Marlene grew up Lutheran, but converted to Catholicism when she married Al. She lived a life that embodied her great faith and deep spirituality. As a mother, she had a deep devotion to Mother Mary and praying the rosary. Marlene had a special gift of passing along her strong faith with simple but meaningful quotes. Her kids and grandkids can often be heard saying "as mom/grandma would say". A few of her favorites, were "stay in your day" "this too shall pass" and "thy will be done".

The greatest gift Marlene gave her children and grandchildren was teaching them gratitude and humility. She instilled in them her unwavering belief that "things could always be worse" and that through the grace of God our lives are infinitely blessed.

In Marlene's final years, while dementia reshaped some aspects of her life, her family was grateful she was able to live at home and continue to enjoy many things. Spending time with her young great-grandchildren, going to have her hair fixed, enjoying a beautiful summer day on the deck or watching her son Gregg build a snowman in the backyard brought her great joy right up to the end.

Marlene's beautiful soul will live on through the immeasurable love she gave others and the amazing life she lived as a devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She leaves behind a loving family that will miss her dearly.

Marlene is survived by her four children, Glenn, Julie Pritchard (Mark), Gregg, and Gary (Jane). Grandchildren, Kayleen (Harold Placencia), Lindsey (their mother Leanne DeRusha), Elizabeth and Caroline Pritchard (Jack Vehmeier), Kenny Miller (Olena) Aaron Miller (Michelle), Dalton (their mother Susan Miller- DeRusha), Angela Gredyk (Nic), and Daniel (Lindsay), (their mother Merci DeRusha), 13 great-grandchildren, her brother Robert Flanders (Marlene), sister Joyce Flanders, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 5, 2026, from 5-8 pm. First Memorial Waterston Chapel, 4343 Nicollet Ave., Minneapolis, 55409

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, February 6, at 10:00 am, Mary, Mother of the Church, 3333 Cliff Lake Road E. Burnsville, 55337.

Immediately following Mass, burial will take place at Lakewood Cemetery, 3600 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, 55408.

The family invites you to join them for lunch at The Patty Wagon, 6042 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis, 55419.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Sharing and Caring Hands Minneapolis or the Alzheimer's Association