Marlene J. Yaksich
November 9, 1936 – October 2, 2021
She was preceded in death by her husband, Nicholas. She is survived by children: Pam Yaksich, Debbie Schneider (John), Julie Becker, Nick Yaksich (Kelly Jo), and Dan Yaksich (Maribeth); grandchildren: Nicholas, Elijah, Sierra, Joseph, Don, Nick, Matthew, Krista, Kara, Alec, and Averey; great-grandchildren: Eastan, Esther, Knox, Krew, Zion, Saint, Lily, and Jed.
MEMORIAL SERVICE: Tuesday, October 5th at 10am at Lutheran Church of the Master-West Campus, 1200 N. 181st Court in Elkhorn (1/2 mile north of 180th & Dodge). Private Interment. Memorials are suggested to Concordia High School Marlene Yaksich Memorial Fund.
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Marlene Jane Yaksich, age 84, died October 2, 2021, at Immanuel Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska.
She was born November 9, 1936, in Ethan, SD, to Henry and Melita Hafner. Marlene graduated from Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and Music. Marlene married Nick in 1960, in Omaha, Nebraska.
Marlene had three main passions in her life: faith, family, and education. All who had the privilege of knowing Marlene were impacted by her love of Jesus and how she exemplified Christian living in her daily life. No matter the circumstances in life, Marlene’s mantra was that she was always “Blessed”. That faith and her Love of the Lord has inspired so many in their walk with Jesus. She also taught so many the meaning of worship. Her commitment to worship in Spirit and Truth was truly life changing for so many.
Marlene’s entire adult life was in service of other people. She helped to found the first Lutheran High School in the State of Nebraska which inspired the growth of other Lutheran schools throughout the state. She served as teacher and principal at Cross Lutheran and Word Outreach and served as a teacher at several other public and private schools. She was passionate about making Christian Education available to anyone who wanted to attend.
One of her greatest joys was raising her family and seeing her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren succeed in life. Marlene loved getting weekly “updates” on everyone to celebrate their lives. Her legacy truly lives on through the lives of her family.
Preceded in death by husband, Nick; parents; brothers: Edwin, Ray and Hilmer; sisters: Irma, Lenora, Eileen. Marlene is survived by children: Pam, Debbie (John), Julie, Nick (Kelly Jo), and Dan (Maribeth); 11 grandchildren: Don ( Lindsey), Nick (Danielle), Matt (Valisa), Krista, Kara, Nicholas (Hannah), Elijah, Sierra (Emmanuel), Joseph, Alec and Averey; 8 great-grandchildren: Eastan, Esther, Knox, Krew, Liliana, Jedediah, Zion and Saint; two siblings: Don Hafner and Dorothy Lassegard; many nieces and nephews.
Thank you to the incredible staff of nurses and doctors at Immanuel Hospital ICU for the wonderful care and love you showed to Marlene!
5 Comments
Your sage voice echoes in my memory, Marlene, “Go with the flow [of the Holy Spirit] and walk in love.” From you and me having our first conversation together in the basement social room of Cross Lutheran School, we both recognized our special spiritual bond and common strong leadership gifts. The Lord allowed us to be in ministry together filled with intimate sharing our faith and worship life of Jesus out loud.
Looking forward to seeing one impressive crown on your head!
Radical for Jesus, Marcia <
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The contemporary worship at that little inter-city church setting unfolded while battling opposition. We were experiencing THIS PRESENT DARKNESS in the flesh, with confident joy as we knew WHO would bring the spiritual victory in our midst. We musicians were privileged to help lead the cry, “The Battle Belongs to the Lord”. The children’s vigorous voices sang these lyrics with passionate conviction that was shared among us and carried us through. PTL Well done, sister.
Schneider family and others,
I have only heard the most lovely stories about Grandma Marlene; it would have been an honor to meet her. You are all in Tyler and I’s thoughts as you celebrate her life.
I met Marlene a few times through Pam. Pam and Julie were my coworkers at Pope Paul VI Institute The love and respect Pam and Julie had for their mother impressed me. When I met her I could see her faith in God and especially the love for her children was something to behold.
Her legacy is certainly as an educator and and mentor but even more for the amazing children she left behind to follow in her life of service to others. May the angels escort her to the throne of God where she will praise Him forever
To MARLENE’s family. I met some of you when I contacted her in Omaha about 25-30 yrs ago. She was still as cheerful as she was when We knew each other as teenagers. She and I were born the same year and our family from Roscoe, South Dakota would travel to %Ethan to vistthe. Hafner family.. is there a contact person I could visit with some time.?? Call 303-803- 7583 (cousin Ramona
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