Marlene Kay Fure

Marlene was born on Oct. 24, 1967 in Minneapolis, Minn., to parents Stan and DiAnn Fure. She spent her childhood in Richfield, and she enjoyed competing in sports, including swimming, cross-country skiing, and track and field. She also enjoyed learning. She graduated from Richfield High School and St. Olaf College, and began her career as a physical education teacher and coach in Richfield and at Minnehaha Academy and the International School of Minnesota. Marlene was also an adaptive swim coach, supporting many athletes, including several Paralympians. She transitioned to work in other fields, including recreation therapy, and, most recently, medical equipment sales.

Throughout her life, Marlene enjoyed being outdoors and experiencing nature. Marlene joined her family many summers at Camp Amnicon in Wisconsin, and in her adult life, enjoyed fishing, skiing, canoeing, and mountain biking adventures. She also played in soccer and softball leagues, and she was a member of the Minnesota Vixen professional football team for one season.

Marlene was truly the life of the party, always bringing light and laughter wherever she went. She welcomed everyone with warmth and kindness, making sure everyone felt included. Her life reflected a philosophy of connection, valuing each person and each relationship, and celebrating the opportunities to be together. She loved to sing karaoke, eat good food, share good stories and laughter, and celebrate the little moments and the big milestones.

In 2022, Marlene was diagnosed with Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), a rare condition that causes a person’s immune system to abnormally overreact. Instead of fighting a specific virus or bacteria that is making the person sick, the immune system attacks healthy cells, tissues, and organs. Marlene was treated by a team of rheumatologists at Regions Hospital, who painstakingly supported her while they initially diagnosed her condition and then determined the best treatment. She did initially recover, but the impact of the disease would recur, and her compromised immune system and persistent damage to her liver and other organs were too much for her body to overcome. She received the best treatment from the doctors, nurses, and other medical staff at Regions during the years she lived with HLH.

One of Marlene’s doctors, Dr. Elie Gertner, was instrumental in creating and testing a groundbreaking drug to treat HLH. Access to this treatment, due to the research and advocacy of people like Dr. Gertner, made it possible for Marlene – and many others – to control the impact of HLH and regulate their immune systems. These treatments extended her life, and her experience with HLH has helped other doctors learn about diagnosing and treating auto-immune disorders like HLH. Marlene’s family and friends are forever grateful to Region’s Hospital and the exceptional teams who supported her care and health. To honor that commitment to care, we ask that people consider a donation/memorial in Marlene’s honor to the Region’s Hospital Foundation, and in your message, you can designate it for the rheumatology fund.

Marlene is survived by her parents, her sister Gretchen Pierskalla (John), and brother Jon Fure (Michelle), as well as several aunts, uncles, and cousins. She is also survived by many beloved friends whom she welcomed into her life as family members. A memorial service will be planned for March 2026.