Marlene M. Wilhelmi

Funeral Mass for Marlene Wilhelmi will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M. on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at Divine Mercy Parish - St. John's Catholic Church in Bancroft. The service will be live streamed on the Divine Mercy Parish YouTube Page. Burial will be at St. John's Catholic Cemetery. There will be at Rosary at 4:45 P.M. on Friday, March 7, 2025, followed by visitation from 5-7 P.M. at Oakcrest Funeral Services in Bancroft.
Marlene Mary Wilhelmi was born August 20, 1941, in Swea City, Iowa, the daughter of Louis and Jenny (Oftedahl) Lappe. She grew up in Lakota where she attended school, graduating in 1960 from Lakota High School.
On May 23, 1964, Marlene was united in marriage to Lawrence Wilhelmi at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Ledyard, Iowa. Following their marriage, they lived near Bancroft where they raised their family. After the children were older, Marlene went to work at Exceptional Opportunities in Burt.
Marlene was courageous, inspirational, kind, loyal, and funny. Her greatest joys and accomplishments were her love for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and the time she spent with them. She also enjoyed playing cards, putting puzzles together and an occasional trip to the casino.
Marlene passed away Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at her home near Bancroft, at the age of 83 after years of battling cancer.
She is survived by her husband, Larry of Bancroft; children, Robert (Xiaolin) Wilhelmi of Omaha, NE; Donna (John) Spaulding of Ankeny; Lisa (Rod) Haws of Thornton, CO; James (Melissa) Wilhelmi of Indianola and Jenna Wilhelmi and boyfriend, Tim Laughlin of Waterloo; seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Also surviving are brothers, Larry Lappe of Algona; Bob (Betty) Lappe of Whittemore and Louis Lappe of Bancroft; an aunt, Margorie Kaluqne of Minneapolis, MN; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents.