Marlene M. Ostrem

Marlene M. Ostrem, age 87, of Viroqua, passed away on Saturday August 26th, 2023, in her home surrounded by her family.  She was born on March 30th, 1936, in Readstown, WI where she was raised and grew up. After graduating high school, she attended Vernon County Teachers College and went on to teach at Springville until she met the man that she would go on to marry and spend the rest of her life with.

Marlene and Chester were married on October 18th, 1957. They bought a farm and some land and built a life that they loved. They spent their life tending to the land and cattle. All who knew her would say she was one of the hardest working women around. She would start her days off milking cows, go in to work as a pharmacy tech at Walmart Pharmacy and come home to do evening milking and chores. She helped raise many acres of tobacco and would still reminisce about “case weather”.

Marlene will always be remembered for her gift of gab. She loved to visit with anyone and everyone and would commonly say “Now, I should know you?” She had a way of making everyone around her feel warm and welcome. She was a fantastic cook and baker and always had food ready if anyone stopped in.  She rarely shared her recipes so she could always be remembered for those “kringlas and walnut bars that Marlene Ostrem makes”. She loved her family deeply and passionately. There was nothing she wouldn’t do for her kids and grandkids. She loved nothing more than spoiling her grandkids.  She enjoyed her Brewers and Wheel of Fortune and rarely missed watching either one. She was a woman of great faith and conviction, putting her faith in God first. She will be greatly missed.

Marlene is survived by her children, Craig (Julie) Ostrem and Stephanie (Phil) Neprud;  grandchildren: Thomas (Jeni) Ostrem, Josh (Amanda) Ostrem, Haley Ostrem, Zach (Emily) Dutton, Matt (Izzy) Dutton, and Elyse and Lucas Neprud; great-grandchildren: Carson and Emmett Gerardy, Joanna Ostrem, Iris and Amelia Warthesen, and Finley Dutton; son-in-law, Alan Dutton; brother, Steven (Linda) Eide; sister, Ruth Ann (Nelson) Ward; and brother-in-law, Mike Whitfield.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Chester; daughter, Lisa Dutton; parents, Tom and Ann Eide; in-laws Clarence, Rosina and Gladys Ostrem; and sisters, Donna VanFleet and Sonia Whitfield.

A special thank you to the staff at Gundersen Hospice, especially nurse Jason Mowery and HHA “Alley-oop”. Both of whom made Marlene’s final weeks much more comfortable and satisfying.

Please direct memorials to the amazing organization of Gundersen Hospice or the organization of your choice.

“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”  John 14:3

Roth Family Cremation Center and Funeral Services is serving the family.

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