Marlene & Dale Junge

Celebrating an Abundantly Blessed Marriage of 63 yrs 2 mos & 5 days together

Marlene D. Junge 8-4-40 ~ 12-28-23

Marlene was born August 4, 1940 in Marshalltown, IA to Wynema D.C. (Eggers) Malfeld & Albert I. Malfeld. With her parents in 1948 at the young age of 8 yrs, they moved to Fort Collins, CO due to her mother's health issues. She graduated from Ft. Collins High School, May 1958. She went on to complete 1 yr of college for Accounting & Bookkeeping.

She met Dale L Junge in Choir at St. John's Lutheran Church of Ft. Collins June 1958. They began dating & became engaged July of 1960. Dale & Marlene were married 3 months later on Oct. 23, 1960. They welcomed their 1st daughter Cherrel Cay Aug 1961, their 2nd daughter Darla Jean June 1963, their 3rd daughter Glenda Lea Oct 1964 & their last & 4th daughter Dena Rae Nov 1967. She often referred to her daughters as the Light of her Life. She was a stay at home Mom & Accountant/Bookkeeper for her mother’s restaurant the “White Palace” until she & Dale moved their family to Denver in June 1972. Marlene then took a job being a cook in the main kitchen for Ridge State Home & Training School 1973-1988, when she had to take an early Medical retirement. She enjoyed bowling on a league along with her husband for 8 yrs. Marlene enjoyed doing crafts, taking care of her grandchildren & great grandchildren, attending their sporting events, choir concerts, band concerts & birthdays. Marlene’s greatest passion was attending church at Faith Lutheran with her family & getting good friends &/or family together for card games. She & Dale so enjoyed weekly pinochle card playing up til the last Yr & ½. Marlene & Dale shared an Abundantly Blessed Marriage of 63 yrs 2 mos & 5 days together.

She was surrounded by family & singing when God took her hand & led her to heaven. Marlene was preceded in death by both of her Parents. She is survived by her Ever loving Devoted husband Dale L Junge of Wheat Ridge, CO. Her Cherished 4 daughters: Cherrel Junge of WR, CO, Darla (Donald) Sargent of Arvada CO, Glenda (Steve) Piburn of Cotopaxi, CO & Dena Devenberg of Wheat Ridge, CO & Beloved God Daughter Caterina (Jeff) Hayes). Her Treasured 8 Grandchildren: Bryan (Amber) Piburn, Lisa (Brian) Beltz, Diana Jennifer (Levi) Leach, Will (Morgan) Sargent, Brad (Teresa) Ford, Jeffrey (Carrie) Junge, Becca Winters, Christina (Nick) Huebner. Beloved God Grandchildren: Nicholas Hayes, Catelaine Hayes & Sarah Hayes. Marlene’s Cherished 11 Great Grandchildren: Tyler, Autumn, Logan, Ryan, Anthony, Allyson, Kayden, Blake, Tatumn, Kieran, Weston & Amira.

Dale L. Junge 4-14-40 ~ 8-3-25

Dale Louis Junge was born April 14, 1940 to Emma T. and Clarence H. Junge in Thayer, NE. He grew up on the family farm in Thayer with 3 older sisters, 1 older brother, and 2 younger sisters. He was confirmed on April 11, 1954 at Zion Lutheran Church in Thayer, NE.

Dale graduated from Benedict High School in May 1958. He had been awarded a full ride scholarship for choir to a Nebraska college that he chose not to use. A choir bus trip led him to Fort Collins, Colorado in June 1958, where he decided to stay and reside with his parents and two younger sisters. He began attending St. John's Lutheran Church with his parents and siblings.

It wasn't long til Dale joined St. John's choir, with his love for singing. In joining the choir, he met Marlene Malfeld. August of 1960 Dale proposed to Marlene, and they were married on October 23, 1960 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Fort Collins, CO. August 1961 Dale and Marlene were overjoyed at the birth of their first daughter Cherrel, June 1963 they were happily blessed with their second daughter Darla, October 1964 Dale and Marlene excitedly welcomed their third daughter Glenda, and November 1967 they were happily completing their family with the birth of their fourth daughter Dena.

Dale began working for the state of Colorado at the CSU campus in Fort Collins doing grounds maintenance on July 1, 1961. He also worked year around part time at the Aggie Theater. During the summer and fall, he worked part time for the drive-in Theater in Fort Collins from 1962 - 1972. The family moved to Wheat Ridge, CO in May 1972 when Dale was given a promotion with grounds maintenance and the state of CO to the State Home and Training School for Mentally and Physically Handicapped Residents, starting June 1, 1972.

Dale and Marlene quickly found the family a new church home after the move at Faith Lutheran Church of Denver. Dale became an Elder and has held many church offices serving his church family. He was a strong Christian and lived as a christ like example of being a devoted servant for others. Always ready to lend a hand with whatever the need.

Dale enjoyed bowling and was on many bowling leagues throughout his good healthful years with Marlene, co-workers, church friends, his daughters and son-in-laws. He also served his league members holding offices on the league boards and helped administrate for many Lutheran tournaments. He very much enjoyed playing card games, 3-13, but especially Pinochle. Whenever 3 or more were gathered, if there was any interest in a card game, he was ready with the cards right next to him along with pen and paper.

He retired from the State of Colorado on June 3, 1995. The facility had changed its name to the Wheat Ridge Regional Center. After retirement, Dale worked periodically alongside his brother Marlin on construction projects. They also enjoyed several fishing adventures to Canada that Marlin had flown them to, with other family and friends.

Dale had so much he loved in life; his faith, his family, the beauty of nature, the view of the mountains, the sunsets, and all those little things most people often overlook. Most of all, Dale loved knowing God's love for him and attending church every Sunday! He was surrounded by love and his devoted four daughters, when God called him home the early morning of August 3, 2025.

He was preceded in death by his beloved Marlene Junge, his parents Emma and Clarence Junge, his sisters Alberta (Ernie), Donna (Cornelius), his brother Marlin, his sisters Ardith (Jerry) and Joyce (Kurt).

Dale is survived by his youngest sister Connie (Gerald) and his sister-in-law Janice, his beloved daughters Cherrel, Darla (Donald), Glenda (Steve), Dena, and his god-daughter Caterina (Jeff).

Dale also leaves to cherish his memory his grandchildren Bryan (Amber), Lisa (Brian), Diana, William (Morgan), Chief Petty Officer Bradley (Teresa), Jeffrey (Carrie), Becca, Christina (Nick). His god-grandchildren Nicholas (Laura), Catey (Rueven) and Sarah. His great-grandchildren Tyler, Autumn, Logan, Ryan, Anthony, Alyson, Blake, Tatumn, Kieran, Weston, Amira and his great-grandson Houldin (Becca) yet to arrive in September 2025.

A visitation for Dale will be held Tuesday, August 19, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Faith Lutheran Church, 4785 Elm Ct, Denver, CO 80211. A funeral will occur Tuesday, August 19, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 4785 Elm Ct, Denver, CO 80211. A reception will occur Tuesday, August 19, 2025 from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM, 4785 Elm Ct, Denver, CO 80211. A graveside will occur Tuesday, August 19, 2025 from 2:30 PM to 3:00 PM at Olinger's Evergreen Cemetery, 200 E 168th Ave, Broomfield, CO 80023.