Marlene was born at Boulder Community Hospital on May 4, 1946, to John L DeBacker, Jr and Mary Lois DeBacker (née Hill). Marlene would later remember her childhood growing up on a farm off East Arapahoe Road as “perfect, the best.” Marlene was working at the CU book bindery when she met her future husband, Cliff Bruning. The two married on January 16, 1965, shortly after Marlene’s graduation from Fairview High School.
Marlene spent most of her work life joyfully making lunches for the children of Boulder – first as a cook with the Boulder Valley School District and then for 25 years at FLOC Child Care Center. She was proud of her famous “pigs-in-a-blanket” constructed with homemade bread, as well as other treats, and spent many happy years with the preschoolers and wonderful colleagues at FLOC.
Marlene then pursued her love of birds and birding by working at Boulder’s Wild Bird Center, sharing her knowledge of local birds with customers, many of whom became friends and cherished birding companions. Marlene retired from the Wild Bird Center in 2009.
Following Cliff’s passing in 2018, Marlene embarked on a new adventure living in her own personal paradise of Estes Park, Colorado. Her time there was precious: hosting guests, enjoying the mountains, the wildlife and new birding friends along with her beloved cat, Dot. Declining health cut her time in Estes Park short, and Marlene returned to Boulder in 2024.
Marlene was an enthusiastic, life-long member of the Catholic Church. A Funeral Mass for Marlene will be held Thursday, October 22nd at 10 am at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Boulder, with a graveside service to immediately follow at Mountain View Memorial Park.
