Marlene Selma Bryan, of International Falls, Minn., and Patagonia, Ariz., passed away peacefully in her home Monday, Sept. 24, 2012 in Patagonia.
Marlene was born Aug. 28, 1931, at Manitou Township in Koochiching County.
She was preceded in death by her father, Axel Rasmussen; her mother, Ann Myers; a brother, Raymond Shoemaker; and a sister, Violet Pariseau.
She is survived by her husband, Don Bryan; sons, Douglas Bryan, Jeffery Bryan (Kathy) and Mark Christianson (Lisa); daughters, Nancy Bryan, Virginia Davis and Kathy Nelson; granddaughter, Lisa Norstad; grandson, Jesse Porter and grandsons, Adam and Jesse Christianson; and very special friends/adopted daughter and son, Barb and Pat Porter.
Marlene graduated from Falls High School in the Class of 1950.
She had several jobs besides being a homemaker-extraordinaire — mother, stepmother and devoted friend to many.
She assisted her husband, Dr. Donald Bryan, in his chiropractic office in International Falls for many years.
One of her fondest memories was working at Riley’s Grill when she was a young lady.
In their retirement, Marlene and Don traveled to Mexico in the winter with their RV for several years and in the summer resided at their cabin on Bald Rock. When the traveling bug no longer bit them, they settled in Patagonia in the winters and continued to summer at the cabin on Rainy Lake.
She loved her family and taking care of them, their children and whoever else showed up at the door.
Marlene’s sons gathered many times in Patagonia during the last year when she was ill, and attempted to pay her back for the love she had showered on them in their lives. But it was not enough, and Marlene grew weary and went to be with her family already in Heaven.
Marlene’s family would appreciate memorials to be sent to: Patagonia Community Methodist Church, P.O. Box 315, 387 McKeown Ave., Patagonia, AZ 85624.
