Marlene Joann Sanders, age 87, of Ada, MN, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, June 27, 2024, at Essentia Health in Fargo, ND.

Marlene was born in Ada, MN, on July 27, 1936, to Louis and Ovidia (Holte) Braunschweig.  She graduated from Ada High School in 1954.  On January 27, 1956, Marlene married Myron Sanders in Ada.  To this union, Brian, Mara, and Gwyn were born. They later divorced.

Marlene worked at various jobs through the years, but Cargill and OK Tire in Ada were prominent to her in earlier years.  She reminisced of them often.  Eventually, she decided to enter the nursing field, of which she was the most dedicated to and proud of.  She was a trained medication aide (TMA) at the Villa St. Vincent in Crookston from 1981-1990.  She then moved to Moorhead, and later Fargo, and worked as a TMA at Eventide Nursing Home from 1990 until her retirement in 2005.  In 2012, she moved back to Ada to be closer to family.  Her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were her world, and she loved them all very much.  Every visit or phone call received was special to her.

Marlene is survived by her children: Brian (Liz) Sanders, Mara (Art) Gilbertson, Gwyn (Terry) Kappes; grandchildren: Amanda (Jared) Nault, Brian (Spencer) Sanders, Ryan (Jessica) Gilbertson, Jason (Brianne) Gilbertson, Marisa (Casey) Carlsrud, Miranda (Wyatt) Vettleson, Jake (Ashley) Kappes, Lydia (Shane) Heinle; great-grandchildren: Miracle, Christian, and Graceson Nault,  Kinsley and Karson Sanders, Brady and Alex Gilbertson; Rhett, Marin, and Ramsey Gilbertson; Chase, Ashton, Caden, Caleb, and Cambria Carlsrud; Bryn, Atley, and Avaeya Vettleson; Brody Menge, Dane and Kade Kappes; Zachary and Parker Heinle; and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Marlene was preceded in death by her parents, Louis and Ovidia; sisters Lois Thies, Karen Woody and Kaye Woody; brother-in-law DeWayne Thies, nephews Mark Thies and Craig Thies, and niece Jenny Lyn Sanders.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, July 16, 2024 at 1:00 pm, with a visitation beginning at 11:00 am, at the Anderson Family Funeral Home in Twin Valley, MN.

Inurnment will be held at the Ada City Cemetery in Ada, MN.