Marlene Wagner

MARLENE SOFFI (KUUSISTO) WAGNER Marlene Soffi (Kuusisto) Wagner was born on May 27th, 1936, in Duluth, MN. She was the daughter of Mikko Victori and Helen (Korpi) Kuusisto. Marlene grew up in International Falls and graduated from Falls High School in 1954 where she played the clarinet in the marching band. One of her best memories was marching in the Aquatennial parade in Minneapolis. Marlene had a love of reading from an early age and worked in the International Falls public library as a teenager. She attended Bemidji State College where she received her elementary education degree. This is also where she met the love of her life, William (Huntz) Wagner. They married in 1958 and started a life of adventure traveling to Alaska, Nova Scotia, and spending time at their cabin on Dryweed Island on Rainy Lake. Marlene started her teaching career in Big Fork before moving to International Falls. She taught kindergarten and second grade and sparked a love of reading and creativity in her students. Her community of teacher friends was dear to her heart. Before their daughters were born, Marlene and Huntz shared many joyful years with a close-knit group of friends. Together, they hosted pig roasts, deep-fried turkeys, and filled their lives with laughter. After 14 years of marriage, they became the proud parents of Carrie and Rebecca. They purchased a home on Birch Point where they raised their family. It was during these years on Rainy Lake that Marlene earned the affectionate nickname "Marloon," a nod to her love of loons. After having their children, Huntz and Marlene continued their love of adventure by bringing their girls on camping trips every summer. When she wasn't teaching, Marlene poured her heart into her many creative passions: gardening, quilting, knitting, sewing, and crafting homemade Christmas ornaments for her family and friends. Her hands were rarely still, always busy stitching love into every project. She was especially known for the beautiful afghans she gifted to those she loved; and her family and friends treasure the quilts she made for them. Marlene's favorite place to be was on the Westfork. Huntz built them their "shack", a cozy, warm log home on the West Fork Black River near Loman, MN. Marlene would feed the birds and the deer and do endless puzzles there. She also loved hosting her kids and grandkids for holidays in the woods. Marlene was a member of the First Lutheran Church, the Elks, and the Westfork Literary Society. She was very proud of her Finnish heritage and embodied 'Sisu': inner strength, determination, and perseverance throughout her life. She was kind. She was gentle. She was patient. She was so deeply loved. She is survived by her husband, William (Huntz) Wagner; daughters, Carrie (Charles) Fraser and Rebecca (Damon) Lee; grandchildren, Bobby and Greta Fraser, and David and Mikko Lee. We are grateful for the caring staff at Rainy Lake Medical Center and Good Samaritan for taking such good care of her these past few months. Memorials may be made to the First Lutheran Church in International Falls, MN or the Falls Education Fund. Her celebration of life will be held on Saturday, May 24th at 2:00pm at First Lutheran Church. There will be a gathering following the service in the church basement. Condolences may be left on www.greenlarsen.com Arrangements are with Green-Larsen Mortuary, Inc.