Marlene Iva Dean Dettman Larison was born on Aug. 24, 1931 in her parents’ home on a farm outside of Jolley. Marlene was lovingly welcomed as the first and only child of William and Gertrude Dettman. Like so many young girls of that generation, Marlene began learning how to cook and bake as soon as she was tall enough to reach the kitchen table and hold a stirring spoon. Marlene was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church and her faith remained her foundation for all whom she loved and all that she did for the rest of her life.
As soon as Marlene graduated from high school, she began her career in health care. She worked at the hospital in Sac City and was trained in nursing duties. Marlene’s care providing and nursing skills were recognized by physicians at the hospital who offered to fund her training and education as a nurse, in exchange for her commitment to return and work as a registered nurse at the hospital. Around that time, however, Marlene met Earl and aspirations of becoming a registered nurse took a back seat to the budding romance, which eventually flowered into a marriage proposal in the summer of 1953.
Earl and Marlene were married on Sunday, Oct. 4, in an evening wedding at Zion Lutheran Church in Auburn, where she had spent the second half of her childhood. There was never a question that Earl and Marlene would start a family, however they wanted to enjoy being a married couple before bringing children into their lives. Their marriage was always a priority and despite having busy lives raising four children, they always managed to set aside time to be a couple. “Date Night” (for mom and dad) was always a family favorite because it meant hot dogs and chocolate milk, potato chips and beans in the basement while watching TV, while Earl and Marlene enjoyed steak and baked potatoes in the dimly lit kitchen.
Again, and like so many other women of her generation, mom always seemed busy, preparing four meals a day, with dad’s being the first hot breakfast early enough for him to arrive at Hygrade by 6 a.m. Despite all the duties of being a wife and mother, mom always had time to take a break to answer one of her children’s questions or assist with a project that wasn’t going so well.
In the late 1960s, Earl and Marlene began managing Hygrade Credit Union. When they took on the task of managing the credit union full-time, they found themselves spending nearly every minute of every day with each other. Marlene enjoyed her role at the credit union, as assistant manager, so much that she was reluctant to retire when dad decided it was time to relax and enjoy life. Marlene and Earl began what would turn out to be 22 years of traveling back and forth from Iowa to Yuma, Ariz. Marlene continued to enjoy the Arizona home for nine additional years. Her children appreciated knowing that Marlene was in a warm, safe place while we endured the lovely winter snow and ice of the Midwest.
Earl and Marlene had a happy and wonderful marriage, lasting 60 years. While raising their family, there was lots of time spent in “Big Red” (the family boat) on Storm Lake, water skiing and enjoying beach lunches on the South Shore. Earl and Marlene took their children on trips to Colorado, the Black Hills, Northern Minnesota and Canada as well as the East Coast. Mom always made sure the cooler was stocked with sandwiches and beans and chips for over-the-road travels.
Marlene enjoyed reading, card club with Earl and six other couples in Storm Lake and cleaning. Marlene was taught early in life, by her mother, to maintain a clean home. Marlene always had the time to take a break and visit with a friend over the phone or in person. Marlene also had a beautiful singing voice and it was always a pleasure to hear her sing in church.
Marlene passed away in her home on Sunday, Sept. 25, with her son, Douglas.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Gertie Dettman; and parents-in-law, Claud and Selma Larison; husband Earl; daughter Denise Marie Larison; half-siblings: Mildred Crandall and husband Roy; half-brother Marshall and wife Mavis. Marlene was also preceded in death by all of Earl’s siblings and their spouses. Most recently, she attended the funeral of her oldest nephew, Mickey Dettman (Sue Dettman). Sadly, by the time Marlene passed, she had lost all of her lifelong friends.
Left to cherish and treasure Marlene’s memory are: son David Larison (Wendy) of Cedar Rapids; Douglas Larison of Minneapolis; and DeAnn Lockett (Dean) of Weatherford, Texas; grandchildren: Katie Larison (Sarah) of South St. Paul, Minn.; Amanda Halpenny (Jarrod); and Taylor of Weatherford, Texas; Brandon Larison of Chicago; Jordan Frye (Chayse) of Marion. Additionally, Marlene had five great-grandchildren, with No. 6 due in February. Also remembering Marlene are her many nieces and nephews, of course, as well as friends and neighbors.
Marlene and Earl will be interned together at a graveside service in the Early cemetery in August 2023, with Pastor Charles Bettin officiating. Condolences may be sent to PO Box 190, Early, IA 50535.
