Staebell, Marlene 1936-2004

STAEBELL, WILTMAN, WOLDT, POPKEN

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, Volunteer (email)
Date: 5/31/2008 at 21:15:40

LE MARS, Iowa -- Marlene Staebell, 67, of Le Mars died suddenly Thursday, May 27, 2004, at her residence.

Services will be 3 p.m. Wednesday at Grace Lutheran Church in Le Mars, with the Rev. Larry Fett officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be after 2 p.m. Tuesday, with the family present at 6 p.m. and a prayer service at 7:30 p.m., at Carlsen Funeral Home in Le Mars.

Marlene Marie Wiltman was born July 11, 1936 in Le Mars, Iowa to Jack and Amanda (Woldt) Wiltman. She attended school in Le Mars.

In January of 1953, she was united in marriage to Varrel Virgil Popken. The couple lived in California while he was in the service. In 1955, they returned to Le Mars to live. They later returned to California and then Washington. Marlene returned to Le Mars and worked for Aalfs Manufacturing.

On Jan. 29, 1972, Marlene was married to Cecil Staebell at Elk Point, S.D. She had worked for Wells Dairy from the late 1960s to 1977. Cecil passed away on March 12, 1997.

She was a long-time member of Grace Lutheran Church and a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Auxiliary. Marlene and Cecil enjoyed camping during the summer months. She enjoyed shopping with her children. When her grandchildren were young, Marilyn enjoyed the opportunity to help care for them and also enjoyed providing day care in her home for other children.

Survivors include six daughters, Crystie and Brad Smith of Huron, S.D., Linda Byrne of Le Mars, Desiree and Dennis Toel of Le Mars, Debra and Hector Mota of Sioux City, Jayne Staebell of Denver, Colo. and Melissa Staebell of Le Mars; 11 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; a brother and sister-in-law, Darrell and Connie Wiltman of Shelton, Wash.; and several nieces, nephews and many friends.

She was preceded in death by a brother, Jack Wiltman; two sisters, MurLou Robinson and as an in infant, Muriel Mae Wiltman; two stepsons, Donald and John Staebell; and a grandson, Justin Buckley.

~Source: The Sioux City Journal, Sunday, May 30, 2004