Marlene was born in 1938, the first child of Archie and Genie Mueller. Her father worked in the vineyards and wineries of the fertile San Joaquin Valley. Her mother was a formidable woman who eventually became a sought-after baker of beautiful wedding cakes. Marlene definitely inherited her mother’s creativity, strength, and stubbornness. Her brother, Ron, was born in 1944. Marlene and Ron, and their own families, were close for all of their lives.
Marlene was a resilient human being who used her energy to bring love and music to the world. She began teaching piano when she was thirteen and taught her last lesson only a month ago; her career as an organist lasted just as long. Even the cancer couldn’t keep her from playing for Lenten services in early March. Broadway musicals also gave her joy. She participated in theater starting in high school and throughout her life, including with the smash ensemble Top of the Line, making dear friends all along the way. She volunteered with Operation Christmas Child and also initiated a circuit of visiting and playing carols in convalescent centers and retirement communities every year. Her life was a full one -- going on adventures, collecting her dear nutcrackers, playing games, and a near obsession with the color blue. Her greatest passion, however, was her family. We miss her deeply.
Marlene was preceded by her son Mike Neuharth and granddaughter Kristin Nichols, and is survived by her children Jay Neuharth of Wheaton, IL, Amy Nichols and Pam Neuharth, of Tempe, AZ, as well as her stepson, Tim Neuharth of Courtland, CA. In addition, her remaining grandchildren are Rachel Tomor, Janice Peterson, Michael Neuharth, Zach Neuharth, Timmy Neuharth, Autumn Neuharth, Bobby Nichols, Sierra Neuharth, Sam Nichols, Emily Neuharth, Eva Neuharth, Devi Garnero, Nico Garnero, and Madyison Nichols, as well as ten great-grandchildren.
We will celebrate Marlene’s life at 10:30 am on April 24 at Mountain View Lutheran Church, 2122 S Goldfield Rd, Apache Junction, Arizona. Appropriate COVID-19 precautions will be practiced.
For those unable to attend the service in person, it will be live streamed at: https://vimeo.com/539801009
In lieu of flowers, Marlene requested that friends and family make donations to her local chapter of Operation Christmas Child – to do so, please contact Linda Hollinshead at: [email protected]
As she neared the end, the following prayer of Marlene’s childhood meant much to her and is now fulfilled. Hallelujah!
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray thee, Lord, my soul to keep;
If I should die before I wake,
I pray thee, Lord, my soul to take.
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