Marlene was born May 4, 1934 in Milwaukee, WI to Eric and Alice (Delikat) Milde. She is a graduate of Girls Tech in Milwaukee. She married Arthur Gerstberger on August 18, 1962. He preceded her death on April 9, 2013.
Marlene is survived by her children: Nancy (Rick) Dohrwardt and Ronald (Kris) Gerstberger both of Rib Lake, four grandsons: Michael (Vanessa) and Taran Dohrwardt and Ryne and Nicholas Gerstberger, and her sister Donna Taylor of Colby and numerous nieces and nephews.
She is further preceded in death by her parents: step-mother Martha Milde, her sister Dorothy and brother Bobby.
Following High school, Marlene went to Las Vegas. She worked in a flower shop in the Dunes Hotel and specialized in floral arrangements. She put together arrangements for several celebrities, including Mary Tyler Moore and Sandy Duncan. She came back to Milwaukee and worked at Victor Johnson’s flower shop. She also played on a fastpitch softball team coached by Shirley Martin. They traveled all over the country to play in tournaments. In 1971, her and Arthur moved back to Rib Lake. In 1973, Marlene started a flower shop out of her home and in 1978, built her own shop that she called Gerstberger Rib Lake Florist. It is still up and running in the same location on McComb Avenue 46 years later. She and her daughter Nancy have been working together since the start of their family business.
Marlene enjoyed playing softball. She was a member of the Tuesday and Thursday night bowling leagues, where she sponsored several bowling teams. She loved fishing, baking, listening to polka music, and was an avid Milwaukee Brewers fan. She loved listening to Bob Uecker announce games on the radio. Marlene loved animals, especially her kitties and grand-dogs. She cherished her time spent with her grandsons, Mikey and Taran, who gave her the nickname “Crick.” She loved to crack jokes with them and attend their baseball games.
Cremation rites have been accorded and a celebration of Marlene’s life will take place from 1pm-5pm on May 19, 2019 at the Rib Lake Ice Age Pavilion. Due to Marlene’s huge love for the Brewers, if you have any Brewers apparel, please feel free to wear it to Marlene’s celebration of life. Burial will take place on a later date at the Lakeview Cemetery in Rib Lake.
Heaven must have needed a great florist!
Hemer Funeral Service of Medford and Rib Lake has been entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences can be left at www. hemerfuneralservice.com
