Marlene J. Gebhard

Marlene Judith Gebhard (nee, Spaude)

Age 92, of Burnsville MN, formerly of Bloomington, went home to be with Jesus on December 7, 2024 after suffering a broken hip. She was born in Willmar MN on November 26, 1932, daughter of Rev. Emil & Elvira (Ladwig) Spaude. Preceded in death is her husband Werner Gebhard, wed for 66 years. She will be dearly missed by her children, Mark (Camille), Brett, Kay Schommer, Lisa; 11 grandchildren; and 8 great-grandchildren; and many more family and friends.

Marlene lived a very full life in Minnesota, growing up in Atwater, MN in a Lutheran pastor's family of 4 kids and some dogs. She considered her childhood to be quite ideal as she was able to enjoy country living right next to the steepled church, and playing outside near a pond, long driveway and neighborhood cows and chickens! Many funny stories were told, repeated and cherished regarding her amazing upbringing.

Moving on to Windom, MN she met this gentleman named Werner F. Gebhard at church, and by keeping in touch with him via letters while he was in the Navy during the Korean War, they made sure they stayed together via marriage! Then it was onto Minneapolis to live her next chapter living mostly in the south Twin Cities area. Her life filled up with raising 4 kids and being busy in church activities, gardening, baking, taking care of her mom and being friends to many. In her empty-nesting years she accelerated her talent and joy of writing and photography. She had a sense for good prose and story-telling and a sharp eye for making an excellent picture. And travel - she went worldwide with her journeys, topping everything off with a pilgrimage to Israel. She was never the same after seeing the Land and it captured her heart. To know now for sure that God's Word is true, Jesus is real and that she now can put all her life aspirations down and knows first-hand now that none of it compares to Him in the mansion He prepared just for her.