Marlene R. Miner, 81, of rural Stewartville, Minnesota, died of natural causes on Friday, June 15, 2018, at her home.

Marlene Ruth Sande was born on Aug. 23, 1936, in Freeborn County, Minnesota, to Ernest and Clara(Klabo) Sande. She moved with her family at the age of five to Dexter, Minnesota, where she grew up and attended Dexter and Elkton schools.  Marlene was married on Oct. 30, 1953, to Maynard M. Miner. In 1954, the couple moved to a farm in rural Stewartville. The same year, Mr. Miner was drafted into the U.S. Army. Marlene and their newborn baby girl, Denise, moved to Columbus, Georgia, while Maynard completed his two-year enlistment. They returned to their farm, where they raised their family, farmed for over 50 years and continued to make their home. Marlene was a homemaker and farmwife. As her children left home and entered high school, she began working part-time at the Coast to Coast in Stewartville. She was also employed at Service Master in Chatfield, Minnesota, for a number of years and continued to be self-employed, doing housekeeping for a few years until her retirement. Maynard was a life-long farmer. He was also employed at Marigold Foods in Rochester, Minnesota, and Seuss Implement in Stewartville. Mr. Miner died on Aug. 1, 2009. Marlene was a longtime member of the Stewartville United Methodist Church and its UMW group. She and Maynard enjoyed dancing, playing cards with friends and traveling. Marlene enjoyed gardening, canning, and baking, especially cookie boxes to give to others. She loved time spent with her family and especially enjoyed following her grandchildren’s activities.

Marlene is survived by four daughters and three sons, Denise (Tom) Gottlieb of Baltimore, Maryland, Dennis Miner of Stewartville, Terry Miner of Rochester, Ronda Miner of Stewartville, Jody (Leigh) Wehking of Janesville, Minnesota, Judy (Chet) Finley of Stewartville and Brian (Amanda) Miner of Spring Valley, Minnesota; 14 grandchildren; two sisters, Erlys Trolen of Clarks Grove, Minnesota, and Patricia Irwin of Albert Lea, Minnesota; and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Maynard; her parents; her brother and sister-in-law, Chester and Ruth Sande; two brothers-in-law, Cato Trolen and Sonny Irwin; and an infant granddaughter, Christine.

The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 20, 2018, at the United Methodist Church in Stewartville with the Rev. Wane Souhrada officiating. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Stewartville. A time of visitation for family and friends will take place from 4-7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 19, 2018, at the United Methodist Church in Stewartville and one hour prior to the service on Wednesday at the church. Arrangements are with Griffin-Gray F.H. in Stewartville. Online condolences are welcome at www.griffin-gray.com.