Marlene Pangburn

Marlene Pangburn, 82, of Atlantic, Iowa, died Friday, October 4, 2024, at Atlantic Specialty Care in Atlantic.

Marlene Kay, the daughter of Erwin Frederick and Eldren Catherina Orvilla (Ranniger) Popp was born on September 17, 1942, in Manilla, Iowa. She moved with her family to Walnut, Iowa, in 1943, where she grew up attending Walnut Community School, graduating with the class of 1960. After graduation, she moved to Atlantic where she went to work as a nurse’s aide at the Miller Nursing Home. In the spring of 1964, she met her future husband, Max Lee Pangburn, Jr. They were married December 9, 1964. There were two daughters born to this union, Marita in 1966 and Marlo in 1971. During these years she stayed home to raise her family.

From 1980 to 1989, she babysat for the neighbors across the street; Norman and Debbie Krogh who were just starting their family. She enjoyed taking care of their children, Dana and Kris, who she watched from infancy until they were ages seven to ten. They remained an important part of Marlene’s life. She also, from time to time, watched the children and grandchildren of family and friends.

When Max retired from trucking, Marlene went to work full-time at the Salem Lutheran Home in Atlantic, Iowa, November of 1990, where she worked the night shift until she retired. She worked overnight so that she could be home during the day to help take care of her grandchildren. She saw to it that Marita and Marlo never had to pay for daycare.

The entire time she worked, her family always came first. On Sundays, she enjoyed taking trips to visit her brothers and sisters and their families. She will be remembered by her children and grandchildren as a selfless woman who always put her own needs second to those she loved.

Marlene is survived by her daughters, Marita (Tom) Russmann of Avoca and Marlo (Rob) Stamp of Atlantic; granddaughters, Heather (Neal) Schurr of Gilbert, Hanna (Matt) Groenewold of Spencer, Harley Russmann (and special friend John Bielfeldt) of Ames, Grace Russmann (and fiancé, Dr. Cayden Hare) of Rosemont, MN, and Michaela (Trent) Brammann of Atlantic; grandson, Preston (Mary) Stamp of Boone; great-granddaughters, Kayleigh and Nora Schurr of Gilbert; great-grandsons, Ayden Crawley and James Brammann of Atlantic; brother, Eldon “Butch” Popp of Walnut; sister, Joanne Schnackel of Indianapolis, IN; sisters-in-law, Barbara Popp of Avoca and Donna Popp of Sioux City; and several nieces and nephews and other extended family members.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Max Lee Pangburn, Jr; her father and mother, Erwin and Eldren Popp; brothers, Ronald (in infancy), Virgil, Eugene, Duane, Darold and Dallas Popp; sister, Carol Malloy; sisters and brothers-in-law, Molly Popp, Marilyn Blanchard, Jane Popp, Janet Popp, Sandra Popp, Earl Lippold, Arthur Malloy, and Verne Schnackel; nieces and nephews, Julie Popp (in infancy), Rhonda (Malloy) Olson, Diane (Popp) Borkowski, Gary Popp and David Popp; and other extended family members.

Visitation with family present will begin at 9:30 on Saturday, October 19th at Roland Funeral Service in Atlantic followed by a Celebration of Life Memorial service at 11:00 a.m. A luncheon will be held immediately following the service at the funeral home. Inurnment will be at the Reno Methodist Cemetery southwest of Cumberland, Iowa, following the luncheon. Marlene’s nephew, Bruce Lippold, will be officiating.

Memorials may be made to the family for later designation. 

Roland Funeral Service is caring for Marlene’s family and her arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.