Marlene J. Kalke

Marlene J. Kalke, 90, of Mason City, was promoted to her heavenly home on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, after complications from a fall the previous week. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, December 5, 2025, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 213 N Pennsylvania Ave. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service time. Interment will be held in Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials can be directed to the family of Marlene Kalke.

Marlene was born October 20, 1935 in Waterloo, IA, the daughter of Ted and Fern (Weber) Rehm. She accepted Jesus as her Savior during a week of Vacation Bible School that she attended with a friend. She took advantage of living on an acreage and competed in barrel racing with her favorite horse, Penny. She graduated in the top 3% of her class from East Waterloo High School in 1953. Following graduation, she was employed as a calculator operator in the office of Rath Packing Company for 2 1/2 years. On a blind date, she met Henry, who drove 75 miles to meet her, and they married in 1956. They had a 7-month honeymoon in Honolulu, Hawaii while Henry served with the 25th Division Army Band.

Marlene and Henry lived in Des Moines 5 years, where Marlene was employed in the office of Standard Oil. They resided in Hubbard 4 years, where Henry was a band director at the school. They moved to Nora Springs in 1966. They decided to build a house the following year, and Marlene had glitter sprayed on the ceilings so her house would always shine. She was a school secretary at Nora Springs-Rock Falls Community School for 22 years, retiring in 1999. Marlene loved to work on her computer and was savvy at ordering her groceries and gifts online, allowing her to remain in her home until her passing.

Marlene loved to travel and enjoyed seeing all 50 states, visiting 7 European countries, and taking numerous cruises. The family spent a lot of time boating at Clear Lake, and after years of watching her children, Marlene jumped in and learned to water ski herself when she was 50 years old. Marlene sang in church choir many years and was active in swimming at the YMCA. Marlene took great pleasure in playing cards, especially Canasta and 500, and when partnering with Henry, they were almost unbeatable. For many years she enjoyed watching and cheering for her children or grandchildren’s music and sporting events. Although she was famous for her homemade French fries, eating out was another favorite pastime, and her candy drawer at home offered an extensive selection of chocolate.

Marlene delighted in the music of her late husband, Henry, to whom she was married for 68 years. Her three children, Larry Kalke, Mason City, Susie (Dan) Diercks, Omaha, NE and Roger (Sylvia) Kalke, Oskaloosa, remember her as a sacrificial mom who was relentless in having their back. She adored her grandchildren, who appreciated her unconditional love and involvement in their lives: Brittany (Matt) Renshaw, Omaha, NE, Trevor (Kayla) Diercks, Two Harbors, MN, and Jalen Kalke, Des Moines. Her six great-grandchildren were a special delight to her heart, and they loved going to visit “Grandma Marlene,” who always had a surprise waiting for them: Kyla Jo Renshaw, Kaizley Grace Renshaw, Kooper Diercks Renshaw, Keaton James Renshaw, Juniper Len Diercks, and Iverson Pine Diercks.

Mom, Grandma, and Great Grandma Marlene: We love you so much and we’ll always remember you waving at the picture window as we drove away. Buh-buh-buh-bye.