Obituary of Marlene Louise Brockshus

    Marlene Louise Brockshus was born November 21, 1938, on a farm south of May City, Iowa to Elmer and Margaret (Luinstra) Heilman. She spent her childhood years in the May City area along with her two brothers, Maurice and Dennis. She was confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in May City in 1952 and was a lifelong member there.

    Marlene received her education at Melvin Consolidated School in Melvin, Iowa, graduating with the class of 1956. She then enrolled in the nursing program at the Lutheran Hospital of Nursing in Sioux City, Iowa, graduating in 1959. 

    On October 4, 1959, Marlene was united in marriage to Herbert L. “Herb” Brockshus. They lived their entire married life on the Brockshus home farm north of May City, with the exception of one year spent in the Bucklin, Missouri area. To this union, three daughters were born: Diane, Barb, and Debbie.

    While managing her household and taking care of her growing family, Marlene also worked as an operating room nurse in Spirit Lake, Iowa, Marceline, Missouri, and Worthington, Minnesota for a total of 41 years. Following her retirement, she and Herb enjoyed bus trips and vacations, spending time with their grandkids, weekly lunch get-togethers with the nurses from Worthington, and being a prayer chain coordinator for Mission Central. She was a member of LWML and, in later years, truly loved spending time with the “great-grands”.   

    Her faith in the Lord, and her strong will, carried her through many years of health challenges.  However, this time, on April 26, 2022, God said “Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest” - Matthew 11:28.

    Left to cherish her memory are her husband of 62 years, Herb; three daughters: Diane (Steve) Loeschen, Barb (Steve) Niswander and Debbie Clem; grandchildren: Stephanie (Troy) Schleiger, Tim (Tessa) Loeschen, Levi (Ciara) Niswander, Nicole (Brad) Holmberg, Dylan (special friend, Jessica Morberg) Niswander, Lindell (Brianna) Clem, Oma (J.J.) Crouch, Charlie Clem; great-grandchildren: Frederick, Margaret, Henry and Emma Schleiger, Ella and Emery Meinders, Quinn Loeschen, Wyatt and Kensley Niswander, Cecelia, Grace and William Holmberg, Angelina, Micah, Zoey and Zara Crouch; two brothers: Maurice (Diana) Heilman and Dennis (Lu) Heilman; along with many nieces, nephews and friends.

    She was preceded in death by her parents; and one great-grandchild, Jazlyn Crouch.