Marlene R. Hanquist

Marlene Ruth Hanquist, 86, of Stromsburg died June 18, 2018, at her home at Park Villa in Stromsburg. Funeral services will be Saturday, June 23, 2018, at 10 a.m. at Swede Home Calvary Lutheran Church, with Pastor Kimberly Belken officiating. Visitation will be Friday, June 22, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Solt-Wagner Funeral Home in Central City. A private burial will be in the Swede Home Cemetery at a later date. Marlene was born in Swede Home on March 10, 1932, to Harold W. and T. Margaret (Gestrine) Johnson. She grew up in Swede Home and lived there until her marriage. She attended District 47 country grade school and graduated from Stromsburg High School in 1950. After attending Luther College in Wahoo, Nebraska, she taught grades K-8 at three country schools from 1951-1956. Marlene and Roger Hanquist were married on February 14, 1954. They raised their four children and lived almost 64 years on a farm north of Polk, recently moving to their apartment in Stromsburg. They were enjoying the flurry of activity and personal interaction that a retirement community provides. Marlene was baptized, confirmed, and married in Calvary Lutheran Church in Swede Home and was active in the WELCA group there. She sang in the Crescendos, a Polk women’s group, from 1976-1988 and spent many decades as a volunteer for the Polk Library, Polk County Fair, and the Election Board. She went back to work the year her youngest left for college, enjoying 10 years as a paraprofessional in the Polk-Hordville Elementary School. She stayed busy in retirement with her exercise group in Polk, grandchildren’s events, church activities, and time with friends and family. Marlene also was an avid baker, famous among her family for her Swedish rye bread, cookies, and caramel rolls. She loved tending her flowers and was never without a fresh bouquet in the house during the summer. She will be forever loved by her husband Roger of Stromsburg; three sons--Layne and Deb of Polk; Gregg and Cindy of Marquette; and Todd and Renae of Swede Home; daughter, Amy and Drew Harris of Hebron;17 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; brother Wayne Johnson of Swede Home; sisters-in-law Gladys Johnson of Swede Home and Dorothy Claussen and Marlene Hanquist of Lincoln; brothers-in-law Stan Hanquist of Papillion and Arlyn (Donna) Hanquist of Hugoton, KS; and a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews. Marlene was preceded in death by her parents and her in-laws, Reuben and LaVina Hanquist; two brothers, Marlowe and Keith Johnson; and brothers-in-law Les Claussen and Miland Hanquist. Memorials are suggested to the family’s choice. Condolences can be left at www.soltwagnerfuneral.com.

Marlene R. Hanquist

March 10, 1932 - June 18, 2018