Marlene was born in Madison, NE on May 30, 1934, to Wurnewald (W.E.) and Olga (Hake) Schutte. She attended Country School District #46 and then Madison County rural schools and graduated from Kramer High School in Columbus, NE in 1951. She was confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Shell Creek, Rural Columbus.
Marlene married Donald E. Koopmann of Stanton, NE on June 17, 1953 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Shell Creek, Rural Columbus. They were married for 60 years until Don’s death in 2014. Don and Marlene farmed together in Stanton County until retirement and moved from the farm into town in 1993, continuing to manage the farm operations. She was meticulous in her accounting skills often having all the taxes figured out before being confirmed by the professional accountant. Marlene worked for Best Decorators and Herberger’s Dept. Stores in Norfolk. During her life, Marlene served as a 4-H leader, member of St. John’s Lutheran Church Ladies Aide and Busy Belles extension club all of Stanton. She was very civic minded and served over 34 years as an election inspector for her local polling places. Marlene and Don wintered in Victoria Palms in Donna, Texas for over 21 years.
Marlene loved playing cards, especially bridge and belonged to numerous card clubs in Stanton, Pilger, Wisner, Columbus, and Lincoln. During covid she learned how to play online card games with people from Australia and Pennsylvania among other places. She was often sought after to join clubs because of her excellent playing skills. She was deemed “the bestest cook in the whole wide world” by her grandchildren for her famous meatloaf, potatoes and various famous dessert bars and salads. Marlene loved crafts and crocheted a special blanket for each grandchild and great grandchild. She moved to Columbus, NE in 2017 and to Lincoln, NE in 2021. She found her church home at Mount Olive.
Marlene was a loving and supportive mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and she was family centered. She would travel near and far attending many of the family’s activities and supported all their endeavors. She is survived by her children, Linda (Jim) Dietz, Elkhorn, NE; Judy Fredrick, Lincoln, NE; and Kevin (Ann) Koopmann, Lincoln, NE. Five grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren, Brian (Amy) Dietz; Delaney and Weston, Prairie Village, KS; Mark (April) Dietz; Collin, Alexandria, Jack Darius, Xavier and Simone, Omaha, NE; Craig (Adrienne) Dietz, Galesburg, IL; Jenna (Ben) Clancy; Dawson and Eleanor, Ashland, NE; and Emily Koopmann and Max, Lincoln, NE; and Aunt Elaine Hake, Columbus, NE. Marlene was preceded in death by her husband Don; parents, Wurnewald and Olga; and brother Ronnie.
Services-
Visitation: 4-7 p.m., Thursday, December 8, 2022 at Mt. Olive Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lincoln, NE
Funeral Services: Mount Olive Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lincoln, NE
WELS Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
7979 Holdrege Street, Lincoln NE 68505
Date: Friday, December 9, 2022
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Interment to follow lunch: 3:00 p.m., Friday at the Calvary Cemetery – Shell Creek, Columbus, Nebraska. The cemetery is located across the road from St. John’s Lutheran Church-Shell Creek, 10785 280th Street Columbus, NE 68601
Pallbearers: Grandchildren – Brian Dietz, Mark Dietz, Craig Dietz, Jenna Clancy and Emily Koopmann; Great Nephew – Scott Koopmann
Honorary Pallbearers: Great Grandchildren – Delaney Dietz, Weston Dietz, Collin Dietz, Alexandria Dietz, Jack Darius Dietz, Max Graves, Dawson Clancy, Xavier Dietz, Eleanor Clancy and Simone Dietz.
Family requests memorials be directed to:
Stanton Fire & Rescue – https://www.stanton.net/fire.html
Belmont Community Center, Lincoln, NE – https://tinyurl.com/marlenekoopmannmemorial
Mt. Olive Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lincoln, NE – https://www.mtolivewels.org/
Online condolences may be added here below here at www.roperandsons.com
Cards may be sent to:
Koopmann Family
c/o Roper and Sons
4300 ‘O’ St
Lincoln, NE 68510
Livestream available here.