Marlene Vorthmann passed away from natural causes in her home on Sunday, February 19, 2023 at the age of 86. She was born Marlene Lavonne Haibeck on January 19, 1937 to Frances Haibeck and Elsie (Dettloff) Haibeck of Steele, North Dakota.  She grew up in North Dakota surrounded by extended family, and graduated high school as class Valedictorian.  Marlene attended Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, where she met Everett Vorthmann in the a cappella choir, getting to know him on choir tour.  They married as soon as Everett (Ev) graduated, and moved to Iowa City, Iowa, where Ev went to work, and Marlene completed her degree with a triple major in English, Speech, and Journalism.

They moved to Freeport, Illinois, where Ev worked his entire career for Honeywell, while Marlene raised the children and volunteered.  She was both the Choir Director and Pianist/Organist at church, a Girl Scout leader for many years, an election judge, and a volunteer at the school library.  After the children headed off to college, Marlene taught Speech at Freeport High School, which she loved, and restarted the Speech and Debate teams, driving the team to events after school hours.

Marlene and Ev both retired at age 55, and spent the next twenty-plus years joyfully travelling across the United States, Europe, and Alaska, while making many treasured new friends.  Marlene was an avid reader, a gardener who grew flowers, vegetables and herbs from seed, a crossword puzzle enthusiast, and a wonderful cook and baker.  She maintained these activities her entire life.

Marlene was preceded in death by her parents, Frances and Elsie Haibeck, and a baby brother who died in infancy.  She is survived by her husband, Everett, and her three children, Dawn, Scott, and Layne, as well as her sister Francene, four grandchildren, and two nieces.

Cremation rites have been accorded, and a celebration will be held at a later date.