Marlene B. John, 66, of Long Prairie, passed away at her home on March 5, 2006. Funeral services for Marlene were held on Friday, March 10, 2006, 1 p.m., at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Long Prairie with Fr. Ken Riedemann officiating. Interment was as the Minnesota State Veteran’s Cemetery.
Marlene was born to Tony and Stella (Spychalla) Lisson on February 9, 1940 in Long Prairie, Minnesota. She attended St. Joseph’s Catholic School, District 93 Country School, and then graduated from Browerville High school in 1958. Marlene married Rudy John on October 27, 1958 and made their first home on a farm six miles SW of Staples until 1962, when they moved to a farm in Browerville, going into a partnership with Rudy’s brother Roman. In 1969 they purchased a nine acre hobby farm on the outskirts of Long Prairie where Marlene raised her family and resided until her passing.
Marlene loved the outdoors, especially fishing and hunting. Fishing took Marlene many places, deep sea fishing off the Washington State coast, Alaska, most lakes in Minnesota and many trips to Canada with her family. She invariably caught the first fish and the largest fish, enjoying the sport until illness took her off the lakes.
Marlene enjoyed hunting with her family and was the unquestioned queen of the camp kitchen. Many years were spent together at deer camps, the last 14 at their family property North of Park Rapids. The family built a new cabin last summer which she was able to enjoy during her last deer camp.
Marlene loved to restore old wood trim and furniture, the older the better. During the 35+ years at her Long Prairie home she replaced and reconditioned virtually every piece of wood trim, floor and furniture pieces. She also loved gardening, growing flowers and lawn work along with a variety of crafts and knitting. She loved cooking for her family and friends and was renowned for her bread making and a passion for making coffee cakes during the holidays, often times making 150-200 cakes as gifts for Christmas.
Marlene did volunteer work at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Long Prairie and for the Long Prairie nursing home and St. Peters Catholic School in Browerville. Marlene enjoyed fellowship with the V.F.W. Auxiliary, Catholic Women, Foresters, St. Ann’s Mission and Eucharistic Ministry. She was active with the Long Prairie Hockey Association and took a turn coaching ice mites.
Marlene worked for Lantz Lenses, Donny’s, Zinter Brothers, and Holiday Grocery as their bakery manager.
Marlene loved being with people, especially the elderly. She loved her family deeply and was very proud of their accomplishments. She loved being a Grandma and was frequently heard at many of her grandchildren’s activities. Marlene was a devoted Godmother.
Marlene was preceded in death by her parents, Tony and Stella Lisson, brother Albert Lisson, and grandson Danny John Jr. She is survived by her husband Rudy of Long Prairie, brothers, Robert (Jeannie) Lisson of Cloquet, Tony (Donna) Lisson of Long Prairie, sister Rosie (Robert) Motl of Browerville, daughters: Deanna John and Darla John of Long Prairie, Denise (Greg) Williams of Atlanta, Georgia, sons: Daniel (Sandy) John of Amery, Wisconsin, Donald (Linda) John of Sauk Centre, Duane (Tracey) John of Stacy, David (Darla) John of Lino Lakes, grandchildren Michael, Danielle, Spencer, Sasha, Sarah, Jami, Jacob, Zachary, Fletcher and Jasmine, many nieces, nephews and special friend Angie Hart