Marlene Petrik, 82 of Wagner

Her funeral service will be 1:00 P.M. Thursday, October 5, 2017 at the United Methodist Church in Wagner, with burial in the ZCBJ Cemetery, rural Wagner. Visitation will be at the church Wednesday from 6:30 to 7:30, followed by a prayer service. Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home in Wagner is in charge of the arrangements.

Ellen Marlene Petrik was born March 24, 1935 in rural Turner County, SD to William and Frances (Reis) Hopf. She died Sunday, October 1, 2017 at the Good Samaritan Society in Wagner, the same day her husband, Donald died 16 years ago. She was greeted in heaven with his loving arms. Marlene attained the age of 82 years, six months and eight days.

Marlene graduated from Marion High School. She then attended Mount Marty College for nursing and graduated as a registered nurse. After graduation, Marlene obtained a job at the Armour Hospital as an RN. It was during this time that she met Donald Petrik on a blind date. They dated and were married on March 30,1958.

Marlene worked side by side with Donald on the farm while also raising their five children. She was a nurturer by nature and decided to go back to work as an RN at the Wagner Community Hospital. Marlene was loved by many of her patients and remembered by all for her care and empathy for them.

Marlene will be remembered as a sweet soul who worked very hard. She enjoyed gardening, her flowers and spoiling her grandchildren. Marlene always made everyone feel special. Because of her strong work ethic, honesty and loyalty, she had many friends and would love to visit whether in person, on the phone or by writing letters.

Marlene had a strong belief in the LORD and wanted to help lead others to Him. She read Bible stories to her children and as a nurse in the hospital would stay with patients and pray for them. Marlene was dearly loved by her children and grandchildren who looked up to her.

Thankful for having shared her life are her children: David and special friend Joy of Wagner; Dianne Ellwein and husband Fred of Wiesbaden, Germany; Donna Appletoft and husband Scott of Mitchell; Darryl and special friend Lisa of Wagner; and Dale and wife Audrey of Wagner; her grandchildren: Tyler, Katie and Austin Ellwein, Amanda (Jeff) Schoenfelder, Andrea Cypher and Alicia Walton, Seth (Shannon) Fischer, Dawson Petrik, Daceyann Petrik, David (Alexis) Petrik, Shelbi (fiance' Chad Fox) Petrik, Zac Appletoft, Sally (Jeff) Barrett, Autumn (Steven) Erickson, Jeremy (Melanie) Weerheim, and Corey (Laine) Weerheim; 17 great grandchildren; sister-in-law Theola Petrik of Wagner; and many relatives and friends.

Marlene was preceded in death by her husband in 2001; parents; granddaughter, Mary Walton; two sisters: Marjorie who died in infancy and Ardell and Leonard Timmerman; brother-in-law, Marvin Petrik; and sister-in-law, Marcella Petrik.