Racine-Marlene Ione Roepke was born December 20, 1934 in Birnamwood, Wisconsin, where she spent her early childhood on the family farm. She attended 1st-3rd grade at a country schoolhouse there.

She moved to Racine at age nine where she attended St. John's Lutheran School. She continued her education at Lutheran High School, Gateway Tech and UWM. Upon finishing school, she worked at St. Lukes's Hospital as a lab tech in the EKG Department.

She loved traveling with friends and family to destinations including Germany, Switzerland, France and Hawaii. She loved retirement but continued working part-time at St. John's Childcare and Mileager's Garden Center. She often watched her great nieces and nephews and, in her later years, great grand-nephews.

Marlene was a loving daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, neighbor and friend to all who knew her.

She is survived by her brothers, Jay (Hanne) Roepke, Donald Luedtke and sister, Sharon Eckert; Niece and Goddaughter, Shea Birdsall-Leech and her children; Robert, Ashleigh, Connor and Ryan Birdsall; Haiden and Bennett Leech and grandchildren, MJ, Liam and Theodore. Marlene is further survived by nephews and nieces; Vicki (Chuck) Boles and their children, Ashley (Adam) Molbeck and Soren Nelson; Jeff (Tracy) Stacy their children, Josh Stacy, Zack (Sabrina) Stacy, Jacob (Erica) Stacy,  Donald (Becky) Luedtke Jr., Cheryl Ryan, Laura (Charlie) Schultz, Todd (Debra) Luedtke, Mike (Cindy) Eckert, Mark (Luanne) Eckert, Wendy Eckert and many great nieces and nephews, cousins and family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Elton W. Roepke at the young age of 29 years, when she was only 4 years old, Zella and Harold Luedtke in later years, Nephews, Marty Eckert and Scott Luedtke.

She will be dearly missed by many more family and friends.

Funeral services will be celebrated on Monday, August 19, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. in St. John's Lutheran Church (1501 Erie Street). Visitation will be held on Monday from 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. pm at the church.

A heartfelt note of thanks to Pastor Jack Gilbert for his monthly visits, support and prayers given.

Service Details

Funeral services will be celebrated on Monday, August 19, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. in St. John's Lutheran Church (1501 Erie Street). Visitation will be held on Monday from 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at the church.

Memorial Suggestions

Memorials have been suggested to St. John's Lutheran School.