Marlene D. Rahn Obituary

Passed into eternal life on January 20th, 2022, after a long struggle with Alzheimer's disease. Marlene was born to Richard and Dorothy (nee Altenburg) Kunz on April 5, 1928, in the living quarters of her father's grocery store in Bismarck, ND. She was active in their church, Zion Lutheran, where she served for a time as organist. After graduating as the salutatorian of the Bismarck High School Class of 1946, she went away to study at Concordia College in Seward, NE, graduating with a bachelor's degree in education in 1950. She taught in Lutheran elementary schools in Lincoln, NE, and Sauk Rapids, MN, for three years before returning to Bismarck to teach in the public schools. While there, the future US Senator Kent Conrad was one of her pupils. In 1957, she answered a call to teach at the newly opened Northwest Lutheran School in Milwaukee.

She met Ralph while rooming with his widowed aunt. They married on July 4th, 1959, in Bismarck. A son, Paul, was born to them in 1960, and a daughter, Janet, in 1962. Once her children were in school, she resumed teaching as a substitute in Milwaukee area Lutheran schools. Later, she taught full-time and part-time at St. Peter-Immanuel Lutheran School. For many years she was also a member and Sunday School teacher at Covenant Lutheran Church. After moving to Germantown in 1977, she and Ralph became members of Faith Lutheran Church.

Marlene is survived by her children Paul (Beth) Rahn- and their children Stephen and Rachel; and Janet Rahn- and her children Whitney (Wesley) Brown and Madelyn Rahn. Great-grandma of Wesley Channing. Further survived by her devoted caregiver Mugi. Preceded in death by her husband Ralph of 59 years who passed away in 2018.

Memorials may be given to the [Alzheimer's Disease Alliance of Wisconsin], Alzheimer's Association, or Lutheran Hour Ministries.

Visitation will be Friday January 28, 2022 at Faith Lutheran Church, W172 N1187 Division Rd. in Germantown, from 10am until time of service at 12pm. Private burial at Sunnyside Cemetery.