Marlene Heckenlaible, age 79, of St. Francis, MN died November 4, 2019 at the JA Wedum Residential Hospice in Brooklyn Park, MN.  A Memorial Service will be held on November 7, 2019 @ Abundant Life Alliance Church, 3840-197th Ave. NW, Oak Grove, MN 55303, at 4:00pm with a Celebration of Life immediately following from 5-8pm.

Marlene Kay Lewis was born on August 20, 1940 in Estherville, IA, the third child of Lyle and Anna Mary Lewis.  She grew up in northern Iowa and the family moved to St. Francis prior to her senior year in high school.  She graduated from St. Francis High School in 1958.  Marlene was a regional princess in the Princess Kay of the Milky Way program and at the Isanti County Fair, she met Clinton Heckenlaible.  He asked her out and they were married February 13, 1960.  To this marriage, four daughters were born:  Karla, Kelli, Kathi and Kerri.  The raised their "Special K's" in East Bethel, MN.

Marlene worked many different jobs in her lifetime, touching lives and making friends along the way.  Her most notable job was probably driving school bus for ISD 15 for 18yrs.  She also worked many years in the group health industry and when she retired, they moved to the lake in Mora, MN for 10 yrs. until Clint passed away in 2013.  Clint had many heart issues and surgeries and Marlene never left his side, caring for him through it all.  She then moved to St. Francis to be near her family.  She attended a high school reunion in 2015 and reunited with her high school sweetheart, Gary Baker.  From then, through her battle with cancer, Gary was by her side in good times and bad.

Marlene was known far and wide for her beautiful voice and her ability to craft and sew most anything. She was also so very proud of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In July 2017, Marlene was diagnosed with Stage 3 ovarian cancer.  She fought a tough battle, all the while believing she could move that mountain and gain her miracle.  She lost her battle the morning of November 4, surrounded by 3 of her Special K's.

Marlene was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Clint, her parents and two sisters, Karen and Nancy.  Survived by her daughters Karla(Dave)Walton, Kelli(Brian)Hill, Kathi(Curtis)Toliver and Kerri(Eduardo Waite)Johnson; grandchildren Scott, Dan, Kelsey, Michael, Bekki, Preston, Amanda, Hannah and McKenna; great-grandchildren Lilly, Scarlett, Desirae, Jayden, Noah, Eli and Calvin; siblings Donna, Janet, Bob and Mary.