Marlene Willenborg, age 91, of Carroll, died Saturday, August 19, 2023, at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska surrounded by her family.
Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, August 24, 2023, at Holy Spirit Church- St. John Paul II Parish in Carroll. The celebrant will be Fr. Patrick Behm. Music will be by Jane Heithoff. Lector will be Becky Mikels. Gift Bearers will be Melissa Sanders, Kelli Tobin, Chelsea Zeken, and Jessi Wessling. Eucharistic Minister will be Randy Pietig. Casket Bearers will be Marlene’s grandchildren: Kelli Tobin, Jason Fox, Jessi Wessling, Justin Cox, Shannon Wittrock, Chelsea Zeken, Angie Nees, Brian Willenborg, Jay Willenborg, JD Kennebeck, Jimmy Kennebeck, Kerry Kennebeck, Becky Mikels, Melissa Sanders, Kelsie Richardson, Lindsey Frimuth, and Nicole Pietig. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Carroll.
Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday at the Sharp Funeral Home. A Carroll Catholic Daughters of the Americas Rosary will be prayed at 7 p.m. The casket will be moved to Holy Spirit Church on Thursday morning where visitation will resume from 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.
Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Sharp Funeral Home and online condolences may be left for Marlene’s family at www.sharpfuneral.com.
Marlene was born on April 11, 1932, in Carroll, Iowa, the daughter of Peter and Lena (Truhe) Eischeid. She grew up near Halbur and attended St. Augustine School. On November 13, 1952, Marlene was united in marriage to Edward Willenborg at St. Augustine Church in Halbur with Fr. Kramer officiating.
Marlene lovingly raised 4 children and as a grandma spoiled 17 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren. She loved learning and became an avid reader. She spent many hours tending to her flowers and watching the martins. She crocheted blankets for the babies that came into the family. All of these children loved going to Grandma’s at Christmas to have her famous barbeque ribs and angel food cake. Marlene loved knowing the family’s history and created beautiful family tree books that she shared with everyone. In her younger years she enjoyed playing golf and traveling with Eddie. More recently, she spent her days praying for her loved ones. She enjoyed playing cards and especially loved to win, showing no mercy to her grandkids. She wanted them to learn by strategy and skill and not by being a lenient grandma.
Left to cherish her memory is her husband Ed Willenborg of Carroll; her children: Denny (Julie) Willenborg, Jerry (Jan) Willenborg, Susie (Dave) Kennebeck, daughter-in law Peg Willenborg all from Carroll. Her sisters, Julie Baumhover of Carroll, and Bernadette Harrison of Omaha; sister-in-law Shirley Eischeid; as well as many nieces, nephews, and other extended relatives.
Marlene was preceded in death by her son, Larry in September 2022, her parents: Peter and Lena Eischeid, parents-in-laws: John and Catherine (Uhlenkamp) Willenborg. Siblings: Eleanor (Alex) Irlmeier, Edward (Marie) Eischeid, Wilfred Eischeid, Fred Eischeid, Melvin (Pearl) Eischeid, Linus (Joan) Eischeid. Elaine (Leo) Bolster, and brothers-in-law: Art Baumhover and Jim Harrison.
