Marlene Kay (Suntken) SCHACHT SMITH

SUNTKEN, SMITH, SCHACHT, DOUGLAS, NESS, MYLES, ROBY, UNVERZAGT, BREUER

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:07:00

Marlene Kay Smith
August 3, 1940 ---- September 25, 2021

Marlene K. Smith passed away Saturday, September 25, 2021 from her "Determined" fight against cancer. She was surrounded by her family as she moved on to see her parents Anna Ruth Suntken and William Eno Suntken, formerly of Elgin, Minnesota.

She is survived by her husband, Richard A. Smith of Rochester, 3 sons and a daughter: Rick (Terri) Schacht of Zumbrota, Lori (Brenda) Schacht of Rochester, Bill (Lisa) Smith of Waseca and Mike Smith of Pine Island. 8 Grandchildren, Rachel (Jeremy) Douglas, Lindsay (Curtis) Ness, Morgan (Alex) Schacht, Brittany Schacht, Danielle (Cameron) Myles, Mitchell Smith, Riley Smith and Callie Smith along with 11 Great Grandchildren, Logan, Grace, Noelle, Trevor, Jack, Avery, Avey, Reed, Greyson, Elsie and Theo. She is survived by 4 siblings. Her twin brother Marlin Suntken of Elgin, Karen Roby of Norfolk VA, Ronald Suntken of Pineville KY, and Janet Unverzagt of Rochester. She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Donna Breuer, in 2013.

Born August 3, 1940 in Dows, Iowa, Marlene moved with her parents to Alexander Iowa, onto the farm in Dexter MN then eventually settling in 1955 to the family farm in Elgin, MN. She grew up working on the farm, attended Elgin HS, graduating in 1958. Marlene attended Mankato College and graduated in 1959. Marlene put her attention to detail to work in the banking industry working at several banks in Rochester during her career before retiring from People's Electric Coop in 2003. She married Richard on March 7, 1969 and lived many years in the Pine Island area before moving to Rochester. Marlene insisted on having a purpose and wanted to continue working to stay active, a trait ingrained in her from her early years on the farm. After she retired, she cleaned houses for a few clients, was a receptionist at a hair salon and ended her career working at HyVee as a cashier.

Marlene was passionate about keeping busy and traveling. Never one to sit still for very long, she enjoyed her camping adventures in her motorhome, boat rides along the river, motorcycle rides and working in the yard tending to her many flowers. She was meticulous about making sure the watering and dead heading was done on her plants so they would look their best. It didn't stop there as she prided herself by saying, "I might not have much, but what I have, is shiny". She made sure everything was buffed and polished. You would be hard pressed to catch her indoors during the summer on a warm sunny day. One of her favorite places to visit was Maui, HI. She visited the island several times enjoying the sun, surf and laidback culture of the islands.

Marlene always loved a visit from her family and spending time with them. If you could catch her outside, she would always love to sit on her deck and hear stories of what her kids were doing and the places they had gone. If she couldn't be there, she'd love to live vicariously through the stories you told her.

She was a good person, great friend, loyal spouse and loving mother who could light up a room with her smile. She will be dearly missed by all who really knew her.

A visitation will be held Thursday, September 30, 2021 from 1-4 p.m. at the Ranfranz and Vine Remembrance and Reception Centre, 5482 Royal Pl NW, Rochester, MN. There will be a Remembrance Service at 3:30 p.m.

Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Smith family.