Marlene C. Kerkow, age 82, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. She has been a lifelong resident of Prior Lake, MN, and a pillar of the McKenna Crossing community.

A Christian Funeral will be held on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at 2 pm, with a visitation from 12-1:45 pm, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 5634 Luther Road SE, Prior Lake. Pastor Greg DeMuth and Pastor David Hormann will preside, with pall bearers of Matthew Kerkow, Colten Kerkow, Hunter, Kerkow, Jayme Kerkow, Bria Anna Cunningham, and Lonnie Biever. Marlene will be laid to rest at St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery.

Herbert and Irene (Grapper) Sass proudly announced the birth of their twins Marvin, and five minutes later Marlene, who entered this world on June 25, 1941, in Shakopee, MN. As a young child, Marlene always lived a simple yet full life. She met and married the only man she ever dated, Larry Kerkow on October 15, 1960, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. The newlyweds settled in Prior Lake, where Marlene and Larry raised their family. She always wanted enough children to have her own baseball team, instead she got to raise two active and energetic boys, Russ, and Jon. Unfortunately, Marlene and Larry experienced the loss of an infant daughter Samantha, shortly after she was born. She carried this sadness her entire life with the anticipation of one day holding Samantha in her arms again.

Marlene was devoted to her family. She loved shopping. Most Saturdays were filled with excursions to Kmart with the boys or later grandchildren in tow. Marlene’s super bowl was the beginning of each school year shopping with her grandchildren for the perfect clothes and supplies. Marlene was most content in her home. She relished being surrounded by family and sun tanning on the deck with her sisters. Marlene loved the quietness of home crocheting Afghans for family and friends. She appreciated a clean and well-organized home.

Outside of her home, Marlene worked 15 years at Control Data and another long career at Burger King in Prior Lake. After Larry passed on April 6, 2002, her health was impacted by challenges and illness. Marlene soon moved into McKenna Crossing. Here, she stayed true to herself and continued living a simple life. Marlene loved her new home and new family.

Passed down from her parents, Marlene had a strong, yet quiet faith, and in turn passed this on to her family. Marlene had many sayings but will be especially remembered for…” Shop till You Drop” and “Gotta Suffer to be Beautiful!”

Forever loved, Marlene will be truly missed by sons, Russ Kerkow, Jon (Tamra) Kerkow; grandchildren, Noah, Brie Anna, Kole, Jayme, Matthew, Colten, Hunter; siblings, Marvin (Sharen) Sass, Eileen Bjornson, Mary Kiesner; and other relatives and friends.

Marlene is preceded in death by husband, Larry Kerkow; infant daughter, Samantha Kerkow; daughter-in-law, Lisa Kerkow; parents, Herbert and Irene Sass; and sister, Shirley (Don) Kerkow.

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