Marlene Della (Peterson) Santjer

Marlene Della (Peterson) Santjer, 91, of Willmar, died Tuesday, April 8, at Cura Therapy Suites in Willmar.

Her funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 15, at Bunde Christian Reformed Church near Clara City and will be streamed on the church's YouTube page.  Interment will be in the church cemetery.  Visitation will be 5:00-7:00 p.m. Monday, April 14, at the church and will continue one hour prior to the service on Tuesday.  Arrangements are with Harvey Anderson & Johnson Funeral Homes, www.hafh.org.

Marlene was born February 28, 1934, in Renville, Minnesota, the daughter of Herman and Hilda (Westby) Peterson.  She graduated from Renville High School in 1952.  On June 24, 1953, she married Alfred Santjer at Ebenezer Lutheran Church in Sacred Heart.  Marlene and Alfred farmed until 1999 when they retired and moved to Clara City.  After Alfred passed away in 2019, she moved to WestView Village in Willmar.

Marlene taught Sunday school for many years and was very active in Ladies Aid at Bunde Christian Reformed Church. Marlene and Alfred loved to travel.  They traveled to Australia, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Hawaii and Alaska.  They also wintered in Texas for many years.  Marlene was a loving wife, mother, grandma, great-grandma and friend.

She is survived by her children: Kathy (Mark) Hilken of Fort Dodge, IA, Diane (Ron) Landberg of Willmar, Bob (Jean) Santjer of Sacred Heart, and Dean Santjer of St. Paul; nine grandchildren; and sixteen great-grandchildren.  Also surviving are a sister: Harriet Freiborg of Olivia; brothers-in-law: Lloyd Santjer of Sacred Heart and James (Phyllis) Santjer of Clara City; and sister-in-law: Elaine (Gordon) Blom of Raymond.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband: Alfred; brother: Vernon Peterson; sister-in-law: Beverly Peterson; brother-in-law: Henry Freiborg; and sisters-in-law: Esther Santjer and Wilma Santjer.

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