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Marlene Lee Obituary
October 26, 1938 - January 23, 2026
Marlene Kaye Lee, age 87, of Council Bluffs, passed away January 23, 2026, in Council Bluffs. Marlene was born October 26,1938, in Charles City, Iowa, to the late Harold and Helen (Rabe) Brown and graduated from Charles City High School.
She was united in marriage to Dean D. Lee on November 17, 1956, in Charles City. Marlene's early working career began as a Nurses Aide and later at Petersen Radio in Council Bluffs followed by the next 38 years alongside her husband Dean. They owned and operated Acme Omaha Sprinkler Company before retiring and turning their operation over to their daughter Dena and husband Greg.
Marlene enjoyed traveling to numerous competitions with their dog training competitions and for many years was a member of Epworth United Methodist Church.
In addition to her parents she is preceded in death by husband, Dean on July 28, 2025; brother, Robert Brown; and sisters and husbands, Helen June "Punk" Denning (Bill), and Mavis Schroedermeier (Paul).
Survivors include daughter, Dena Higginbotham and husband, Greg, of Council Bluffs, grandson, Garret Higginbotham and wife, Rachel, great-granddaughter, Isabella Higginbotham, all of Omaha; sisters, Cynthia Sorensen (Guy), Julie Driscoll and Vicki Phelan; sisters-in-law, Catherine Brown, Linda Hook (Bill), Marsha Driever, and Nancy Snider; several nieces and nephews.
Visitation for family and friends Tuesday 5 to 7 p.m. Funeral service Wednesday 9:30 a.m., all at Cutler O'Neill Funeral Home, followed by a luncheon at the Cutler-O'Neill Community Room.
Graveside service 2 p.m., Wednesday, at Lincoln Cemetery near Saylorville Lake, Iowa.
Memorials are suggested to Midlands Humane Society.
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Cutler-O'Neill-Meyer-Woodring Funeral Home and Crematory545 Willow Avenue, Council Bluffs, IA 51503
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