Marlene LaVern Jenks

Marlene LaVern Jenks (nee Brill) was born May 19th, 1931 in Park Rapids, Minnesota in her grandmother’s bedroom on her grandparent’s farm.  At the age of 86 on March 27th, 2018, Marlene completed her life’s journey surrounded by family and friends.  She was preceded in death by her dedicated husband of 41 years Robert Henry Jenks, and two of her sisters, Dolores Morgan and Cheryl Salisbury.  She leaves behind her son, Brian Jenks and his wife Susan, her four grandchildren Alexander, Natalie, Penelope, and Rebecca, her loving sister Sharon Van Gieson and husband David, her brother-in-law Harold Kennedy, and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Marlene proudly valued her self-sufficiency from a young age onwards.  Having grown up in the cold of Northern Minnesota during the Great Depression, her father subsequently moved the family temporarily to the Pacific Northwest for work.  On her own accord, she left her family in the state of Washington and moved back alone to Minnesota for her Senior year of high school. She subsequently graduated from Park Rapids High School in 1949 where she was homecoming queen.  After high school she hitch hiked west to California with her cousin Colleen.  Still apt for adventure, she joined the U.S. Marine Corp for three years and rose to the the rank of Staff Sergeant.  Deciding to stay out west, she moved to Santa Monica and met a California guy named Robert.  They married 6 weeks later, and remained together until his death on March 5th, 1997.  Together, they had their son Brian in 1960, who she later reflected on as “the joy of my life.”  Additionally, Marlene had various jobs in real estate, the medical field at the V.A. Hospital and Norton Air Force base.  After her husband’s passing, she resolutely lived alone for 21 years in Escondido, California.

Always an avid traveler, Marlene especially took pleasure in summer trips to Minnesota at Grand View or Madden’s Lodge with her and her sister’s extended families.  She loved golf, bowling, and writing poetry in her spare time.  Marlene retained a distinctively astute and persevering spirit throughout all her years. Meaningfully to all around her, Marlene dedicated herself to her family and possessed a generous heart.  She was always available to offer sound advice, comfort those around her, and was a ‘real listener’ who intently remembered the details of the lives of those she loved.  Reciprocally, all those who knew Marlene loved her, and her passing leaves a true void.  She will be deeply missed.

The family wishes to thank the supportive care given thru Sharp Hospice and the love provided by her friends and neighbors.  Services for Marlene will be held at the Pavillion at Riverside National Cemetery on Monday, April 30, 2018 at 10:30 am.  In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Salvation Army, Sharp Hospice or simply doing a good deed for those in need can also be made in Marlene’s memory.

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