Marlene Thea Houske

In Loving Memory of Marlene Houske
June 8, 1935 - May 20, 2022
Marlene Thea Houske (Olson), 86, of Crystal, MN crossed over to her heavenly home on Friday, May 20, 2022, at North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale, MN.
Marlene was born in Thief River Falls, MN on June 8, 1935, the daughter of Martin and Millie (Pederson) Olson. Her childhood was spent in Thief River Falls, MN, and she graduated from Lincoln High School in 1953. In 1955, she moved to Minneapolis after marrying Rawlins Houske, and they lived there until 1956 when her husband was drafted into the service. After he was drafted, Marlene moved back to Thief River Falls and worked at the ASC Office. In 1958, Marlene and Rawlins were reunited, and they remained in Thief River and had two sons, Robert and Richard. In 1962 they moved to Crystal, MN. There, Marlene worked at Playhouse and then Mr. Office until she retired in 2000.
Marlene enjoyed travels with her family and often shared stories from road trips out west. She loved gardening and tending to her flowers. Whenever she could, she would go to the casino with friends. Every day at 12pm and 2pm you could find her watching her soaps and then shortly after calling a friend to talk about all the happenings. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Marlene never missed sending a card on a holiday or birthday, and if she did, she'd call to make sure you still knew she was thinking of you. She loved her family dearly, and she showed that every day, often in the form of cookies and cakes. She was an exceptional Scandinavian baker at Christmas and taught her granddaughters how to make everything from lefse and potato dumplings to rosettes and krumkake. Marlene was loved dearly and will be greatly missed.
Marlene was preceded in death by her parents, Martin and Millie Olson; brothers, Dennis and Lyle Olson.
Marlene is survived by her husband, Rawlins Houske, Crystal, MN; sons, Robert (Cynthia), Thief River Falls, MN, and Richard, Thief River Falls, MN; grandchildren, Robin, Roseau, MN, Rebecca, Seattle, WA, and Ryan (Grace), Warren, MN; great-grandchildren, Raviyn, Sparrow, and Tressie; brother, Russell Olson, Newport, TN; and sister-in-law, Merrie Olson, Thief River Falls, MN.