marlene

The Jamestown Newspaper, the Sun has a big headline that says that Marlene Brandenburg is celebrating her 90th birthday and then we get this article –

“Marlene Brandenburg, Edgeley, will celebrate her 80th birthday with an open house from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Sept. 6 at Zion Lutheran Church, Edgeley. A program is at 3 p.m.

Marlene and her husband, Don, have four sons, Mike (Lovice), Dana (Joni), Kurt (Cathy) and Jeff (Jane), all Edgeley; a daughter, Marin (Michael) Swofford, Tolley, N.D.; 12 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

No gifts requested; if people wish, they may donate to a charity of their choice.”

Whatever!  Either way works for me.  If she is 80 she has packed into those years 90 years worth of living.  If she is 90 she acts like an 80 year old.

Marlene is what you might call a force of nature. She would disagree and say she is a child of God.  Both of those can be true.

She worked tirelessly with her husband as a part of the Orphan Grain Train Group, is involved in her church and deeply invested in the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League.  She served as the president for several years from 1992 -1996.  Using the Jamestown Sun method that means she was the LWML President for 14 years. Or one.  Whatever, it was she served the Lord with gladness and still does.  She is one of those people that when you talk to them you wish she would write a book.  Endlessly entertaining and wise, she also genuinely cares about what others think and is full of compassion.

She is also one of the funnier human beings that I have  met.  I hope those 36 or 16 Grand and Great Grand children (it’s 26, but like Howard Jording – yesterdays blog –  I am not one to give up on a bit) take note when Great or Grand Ma speaks and actually listen.  Maybe even try and learn something from her.

So happy birthday Marlene and God’s continued blessings to you and yours