Marlene Vculek

Marlene Vculek, 84, of Oakes, ND, died on July 28, 2025, at Oakes Good Samaritan Society. Marlene Rose Wendt, daughter of Lester and Martha (Stroh) Wendt, was born January 17, 1941, in LaMoure, ND. She attended country grade school and graduated from LaMoure High School in 1958. While in school she was active in 4-H and Luther League. She worked in LaMoure at the courthouse for a short time before she married Bernard Vculek on September 6, 1959, at Zion Lutheran Church in Grand Rapids. Bernie and Marlene lived on the farm near Crete until they moved to Oakes in 1988. Marlene was an active farm wife and worked alongside Bernie in every endeavor, including Crete Grain Company, ND Grain Dealers' Association, Burlwood Housing Development, Oakes Ready Mix, Oakes community development projects, and Republican politics. Marlene was a long-time member of the County Line Homemakers' Club, a 4-H Leader, and active in Grace Lutheran Church, including as a Sunday school teacher and in the Prayer Shawl Ministry. She enjoyed vegetable and flower gardening, embroidering, crocheting, and making lefse and cookies. Marlene faithfully attended her LaMoure Class of 1958 reunions but became an avid Oakes Tornado fan while following her children and grandchildren in their school and other activities. She and Bernie had many great friends and enjoyed traveling, dancing, and playing cards. Marlene moved to the Oakes Good Samaritan Society in November 2024. Marlene is survived by her son, Brian (Julie) Vculek of Crete, and grandson Cole (Jenica) Vculek of Crete, granddaughter Jenna Vculek (Jesse) Braun and great-grandson Jett of Waukee, Iowa, and granddaughter Katie Vculek of Oakes; son Barry (Robin) Vculek of Oakes, granddaughters Bree Vculek of Falls Church, VA and Larissa Vculek of Atlanta, GA; and daughter Sonia (Leroy) Meehl, grandsons Bryce (Sydney) Meehl and great-granddaughters Leightyn and Blake, and grandson Garret Meehl (Tori Ratz) all of Oakes. She is also survived by her sisters Gloria (Lawrence) Anderson of Surprise, AZ, and Ruth Nathan of Valley City, and sister-in-law Georgiann Froemke of Fond du Lac, WI, and several nieces and a nephew. Marlene was preceded in death by her husband, Bernie. Visitation will be held on Friday, August 1, 2025 from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. followed by the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Oakes. Marlene's service will be live streamed below. Burial will be at Oakes View Cemetery near Oakes. In lieu of flowers, family prefers memorials to Oakes-Sargent Central-Ellendale FFA Chapter. Checks or cash can be mailed to SRCTC % Oakes-SC-Ellendale FFA Chapter 924 7th St. S. Oakes, ND 58474.