Obituary of Marlene Mavis Heiliger

Marlene Mavis Lackmann Warman Heiliger

January 20, 1936 - August 3, 2022.

    Marlene changed the world. Not everyone can say that about their family member, but Marlene did. Her love was a lighthouse to our family--keeping us on the safe path in dark times and standing strong and durable on a sunny day. She always made sure that everyone knew they were loved, and she did that through her actions. For many years she sent every family big boxes of handmade Christmas holiday treats, and always included our special favorites. Birthdays always arrived with a special card, often with quarters taped inside until we grew into dollar bills. When she wasn’t baking special treats, she was sewing, crocheting or making some other one-of-a-kind gift. We always received our bespoke quilts, pillowcases, toys and other treasures with gratitude and pride. And by the way, no one could play Scrabble like she did! There was no one quite like her.

    Appreciating her love was hard to measure, like taking air for granted it's just always been here. In the end, we're her greatest handmade masterpieces. We are all different, some a little saltier than others, but the one thing we all have in common is her fingerprints on our hearts.

    Marlene was born January 20, 1936, in Long Prairie, MN to Edwin Lackmann and Luella Augusta Louisa (Meyer) Lackmann. Her father preceded her in death on October 5, 1940. Her mother married Edgar F. Schwanke on May 2, 1944, at Trinity Lutheran Church parsonage in Long Prairie, who became Marlene’s beloved dad. The family farmed in West Union Township in Minnesota, where they welcomed twin boys: Donald Carl and David Edgar Schwanke. Marlene married Julius Thomas Warman in January 1954, and together they had five children. In 1993, Marlene married George Eugene Heiliger.

    Surviving family members include: her brother, Donald Carl Schwanke (Ruth) of Buffalo, MN; sister-in-law, Aurelia Zenzen Schwanke of St. Cloud, MN; and aunt, Betty Meyer of Long Prairie, MN.

    Marlene is survived by her children: Lynnette Randee Warman of Dallas, TX, Melody Marie Durnin of Des Moines, IA, Julie Ann Keen of Dallas, TX, Thomas Jeffrey Warman (Lila) of Dallas, TX and Kristine Lee Warman of Des Moines, IA; and stepdaughter, Renette Heiliger of Bellingham, WA.

    Marlene is also survived by six grandchildren who held a special place in her heart: Sarah Lynne Wofford (Matthew) of Dallas, TX, Brandon Ross Williams of Frankfort, KY, Heather Anne Carmona (Hilario Ivan) of Dallas, TX, Samantha Margaretha Rose Mathews (Jack) of Manhattan, NY, and Dustin Charles Scharnberg (Danae) and Logan Thomas John Scharnberg of Des Moines, IA, who already miss her terribly.

    She was devoted to, and is survived by, nine great-grandchildren: Adeline Elizabeth Bearry, Cadence Austine King and Theodore Shelby Wofford of Dallas TX, Jewells Roxann Small, Miralynn Doriann Williams, Ryan Ross Williams, Dawson Christopher Williams and Ayoni Jade Ruth Williams of Frankfort KY, and Brooklyn Rose Carmona of Dallas TX, who loved her dearly.

    She was preceded in death by her husbands: Julius Thomas Warman and George Heiliger: her parents; and her brother, David Schwanke.

    A celebration of Marlene’s life will be held October 1, 2022, from 3-5 pm

at 6940 Joyce Way, Dallas TX, 75225.

Memorials may be brought to the celebration, or sent to the family

c/o Tom Warman, 5617 Petunia Drive, McKinney, TX 75070.

A second celebration will be held in Minnesota in spring 2023.

You will be missed. You are appreciated. Rest in peace.