MARLENE LUNDSGAARD

Marlene Lundsgaard, age 92 of Cherokee, IA, passed away Saturday, February 22, 2025, at Cherokee Specialty Care in Cherokee, IA. Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 22, 2025, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Cherokee, IA. Pastor Jan Johnston will officiate. Burial will take place at Oak Hill Cemetery in Cherokee, IA. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. The Greenwood-Schubert Funeral Home in Cherokee, IA, is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.greenwoodfuneral.com.

Marlene Lundsgaard, the daughter of Roy and Nelda (Lehnus) Simonson was born January 7, 1933, in Pocahontas, IA. Her childhood years were spent on the family farm near Plover, IA. She attended school and graduated from Plover High School in 1950. She then earned a BA degree in music at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN in 1954.

Marlene moved to Cherokee, IA to teach music. She met her future husband, Conrad "Connie" Lundsgaard in Cherokee, where they discussed a Time magazine article. They started dating shortly after, and on May 27, 1956, they were united in marriage at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Rolfe, IA. Connie and Marlene moved to a farm south of Aurelia, IA, where they raised their sons. Marlene also worked part time at the Bookseller in Cherokee, IA.

Marlene was elected to the Aurelia School Board. She was active in the early days of Cherokee Area Economic Development, Cherokee Historical Society, the Cherokee Symphony, and the Sanford Museum. She was also a member of a women's investment club. Connie was proud to tell people she was better at marketing grain than he was. She was also one of the first women in Rotary. Marlene was a caring and compassionate woman that would help anyone. She enjoyed reading, sewing, and gardening. Most of all, Marlene enjoyed the time spent with her family and friends.

On Saturday, February 22, 2025, Marlene passed away at Cherokee Specialty Care in Cherokee, IA, at the age of 92. She was preceded in death by her husband, Conrad Lundsgaard; parents, Roy and Nelda Simonson; one brother, LeRoy Simonson; and one sister and her husband, Sigrid (Larry) Achorn.

She will lovingly be remembered by her three sons,, Niels (Jane) Lundsgaard of Cherokee, IA, Andrew "Ned" Lundsgaard of Cherokee, IA, and Soren (Laura) Lundsgaard of Inverness, IL; grandchildren, Margaret, Kaj, Katherine, Elise, Zane, Emily, Kai, and Jens; one great-grandson, Simon; brother, Merlin (Trudy) Simonson of Genoa, WI; brother-in-law, Douglas (Victoria) Lundsgaard of Eugene, OR; sister-in-law, Ruth Simonson of Rolfe, IA; and other relatives and friends.

Marlene will be remembered for her wonderful personality and the positive influence she had on the community and surrounding area. She was well thought of and will be missed.