Marlene Mandler

Marlene Mandler, 91, of Marion, passed away Saturday, October 11th at the Corsica Nursing Home. Funeral services will be Friday, October 17th at 11AM at the Emmanuel Presbyterian Church in Marion. Visitation will begin at 9:30AM Friday morning before the service at the church. Burial will be at the Greenwood Cemetery of Marion.

Marlene Mae (Schrag) Mandler passed away at the Good Samaritan in Corsica, SD on October 11, 2025.

Marlene was born in Freeman, SD on May 31, 1934 to Ben E & Esther Jane Schrag. She grew up on the farm with her parents and younger brother, Gary. They only spoke German at home until she started school and had to learn English. During the WW II, she was not allowed to talk in German when they were in town. She attended country school until 8th grade and then went on to high school in Freeman. Marlene’s first job was working in the West Sioux Meat Locker in Sioux Falls. While living there, she met the love of her life, Willard “Bill” Mandler, at the Arkota Ballroom, Sioux Falls, SD. They had an intimate outdoor wedding on October 4th, 1958 at his parent’s farm by Baltic, SD. Their friends made bets that the couple wouldn’t make it more than 3 weeks to a 6 month maximum together. Marlene & Bill showed them up, as they were married over 57 years. They lived in Baltic, White River, & then finally settled in Marion, where they built their own home. Marlene first worked in Marion at Yopp’s furniture store; the local grocery store, J and E, in the meat market area; & later moved on to the Turner County Farm Service Agency, where she remained for over 25 years. She started as part-time employee to eventually moving her way up in the company and being a Trainer that trained other staff on the computer programs. After retirement from the FSA in November 1996, she worked part-time at Donlan’s Foodland. She also volunteered at the Pettigrew Museum and gave tours from 1996 – 1998.

Marlene was an active member of the Eastern Star and was a Grand Matron during her term. She was a long time member of the Emmanuel Presbyterian Church and was very active with the church. Church was an important part of her life. She became a Church Elder, helped with the church food stand during Wieman Auction Sales, and participated in many church committees. While serving with the Ladies’ Aide committee, she wrote & co-wrote skits for their programs, Sunday school programs for over 25 years. Marlene also loved to participate (& ad-lib) in them. To quote her with her mischievous smile, “they love it when I make a fool of myself!” She was well known for her fun, loving personality, and shenanigans. Some of her favorite things to do were jigsaw puzzles, reading, walking, history, writing, needlepoint, playing cards, dancing, and loved sewing – making shirts for Bill, costumes for school/church or even Halloween, & collecting antiques. She was always busy with a craft, working in her basement, stripping furniture or refinishing old trunks Marlene and Bill were fortunate/blessed to travel the United States and together visiting various destinations. Some of their most memorable trips included travel to Hawaii, Mexico City, Jamaica, and a Cruise to China. Marlene was also able to take a bus tour and explore several countries in Europe. Some of her best memories were the times they spent at the cabin at Schmidt’s Landing on Big Stone Lake with family and friends. They enjoyed fishing, playing cards, swimming, many shenanigans, and sitting on the dock enjoying the view and peace.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ben E & Esther Schrag, her parents-in-law, Willard (Bill) F Mandler and Delia (Berg) Mandler, her brother, Gary Schrag, and her sisters-in law Georgia Johnston, Rosalie DenHerder, brother-in-law, Robert Mandler, and her husband, Willard (Bill) D Mandler. Celebrating her life are her three children; Karlyn (Doug) Kapfenstein, Nick (Ginger) Mandler, and Monte Mandler, 5 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren, extended family, and friends.