Marlene Gerlach

Dates

Obituary

Marlene Gerlach, 88, of Mitchell, SD, passed away joining the Lord in Heaven on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, at Avera Brady Health and Rehab in Mitchell. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM, Monday, November 20, at First Lutheran Church in Mitchell. Burial will be at Mt. Vernon Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday from 1-3:00 PM at Bittner Funeral Chapel.

Marlene was born on December 7, 1934, to Louie and Martha (Olawsky) Goldammer. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church (Hillside) in Dimock, S.D.

As a youth, she attended country grade school, sang in the St. John’s choir, taught Sunday school, and was a member of the Luther League youth group. On May 20, 1956, she married her husband of 52 years, Elmer Gerlach of Mt. Vernon, and lived in Mt. Vernon for 40 years. They were blessed with two children, Rod and Lynette.

During her time in Mt. Vernon, Marlene worked 36 years in the lunch program at Mt. Vernon School, and after moving to Mitchell she was employed as a greeter at the Mitchell Corn Palace for several summers. She was a 50-year-member of the Mt. Vernon American Legion Auxiliary, and served in other volunteer capacities, including the Hospitality House in Mitchell and many church opportunities at First Lutheran. Marlene enjoyed embroidering, singing, cooking and baking, setting puzzles, and attending sports activities with family and friends.

Marlene is survived by her son, Rod and wife Dawn (Lubbers) Gerlach of Spring Grove, Ill.; daughter, Lynette Koziol and husband Jim of Denver, Colo.; one grandson, Jay Gerlach of Rowayton, Conn.; three granddaughters Alyssa Dodd (husband Andrew) of Waukee, Iowa, Amber Koziol of Centennial, Colo. , and Amanda Koziol of Casper, Wyo.; two great-grandchildren, Hunter and Kaylee Dodd; four brothers, Ervin Goldammer of Custer, S.D., Wilbert Goldammer of Bakersfield, Calif., Darrel Goldammer of Sioux Falls, S.D., and Richard Goldammer of Mitchell; and two sisters, Edna Sprecher of Corsica, S.D., and Ann Wilson of Watertown, S.D.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, three brothers, and one sister.

Memorials may be given to First Lutheran Church in Mitchell and the Mt. Vernon American Legion Auxiliary.

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