Marlene J. Souder

Marlene J. Souder

February 5, 1931 – August 15, 2018

Marlene Souder, 87, died on Wednesday, August 15, 2018, at her Quincy home with her family by her side.

She was born in Davenport, Iowa to Cecil E. and Cora L. (Robertson) Wright on February 5, 1931, and was the youngest of three daughters. 

Marlene worked at the John Deere Corporate Office in Moline for several years, and a homemaker for over 60 years.  She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Carthage, where she had served on governing boards and committees of the church.  She was a member of the P.E.O Chapter IE in Quincy.  

She will be remembered as a bright, shining light in the various communities and churches she served.   

Marlene’s talents were many - a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, community volunteer and friend who loved to entertain.  

A consummate mother and homemaker, she enjoyed preparing meals and treats for her family and friends.  Over the year’s she collected a large library of recipe favorites that she passed down to her daughter and daughters-in-law.  Marlene was an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and enjoyed attending and watching their games.

Marlene was preceded in death by her parents, sister Alyce Epperson and her husband Richard Souder.  She is survived by her sister, Marillyn Wilson of Milan, Illinois; daughter Lynn A. (Thomas) Klimas of Colorado Springs, Colorado, son Scott W. (Diana) Van Zandbergen of Manchester, Tennessee; stepsons Jeffrey R. (Melanie) Souder of Overland Park, Kansas, and Bruce B. Souder of Phoenix, Arizona; nine grandchildren Megan (Mike) Canterbury, Adam (Laura) Van Zandbergen, Allyson (Sean) D’Gornaz, Benjamin Van Zandbergen, Matthew Souder, Nicholas (Kenya) Van Zandbergen, Ethan (Samantha) Van Zandbergen, Logan Souder, and Emily Van Zandbergen; and eleven great-grandchildren. 

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, August 20, at the First Presbyterian Church of Carthage with Pastor Joe Little officiating.  Burial will follow in the Harmony Township Cemetery east of Bentley.

The family will receive friends at the church from 12:00 p.m. until the time of the memorial service at 2:00.  The family would like to extend our gratitude to all the staff at Blessing Hospital in Quincy for the attentiveness and loving care.

If desired, in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Marlene’s name to the Epilepsy Foundation and Blessing Foundation for Hospice.

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