Marlene Anna Damme, 73, Syracuse, died Thursday, May 1, 2008, at the Syracuse Good Samaritan Center. She was born Nov. 17, 1934, at the family farm at Talmage, daughter of Glen and Maggie (Bottcher) Behrens. She married Alfred Damme, Jr., June 6, 1961, at Bethel United Church of Christ, Nebraska City.

A 1952 Syracuse High School graduate, Damme taught in a rural school near Syracuse before she entered college. She graduated with distinction in 1959 from Nebraska State Teacher’s College at Peru. She taught two years at Ames, Iowa, before she moved back to the Talmage area. She taught at District 40 near Talmage before she left to raise her family.

She helped on the farm, with everything from livestock to driving the truck. She planted a garden each year. She taught Sunday school at St. John’s United Church of Christ, McWilliams, near Talmage, was a leader of the Busy Bees 4-H Club, was a member of the Syr-Mc-Del Extension Club and worked election results for the Talmage Election Commission. She wrote letters regularly to friends and family. After she moved from the family farm to an acreage near Syracuse, Marlene volunteered with the food pantry and enjoyed baking cookies with her grandchildren and tending her flowers.

Surviving are her husband, Alfred, Syracuse; children, Kathi Janssen and husband Don, Lincoln; Becky Lechner and husband Mike, Norfolk; and Doug and wife Victoria, Talmage; grandchildren, Rachel, Ashley and Haley Janssen; Larissa and Jared Lechner; and Hilarie and Neil Damme; sister, Glenis Gornik and husband Joe, Modesto, Calif.; brother-in-law, Duane and Donna, Talmage; and nieces and nephews.

She was preceded by a brother, Mervin Behrens and granddaughter, Madison Damme.

Services were Monday, May 7, at St. John’s United Church of Christ, McWilliams, near Talmage. The Rev. Curtis Rieger officiated. Interment was at the church cemetery.

Honorary pallbearers were Rachel, Ashley and Haley Janssen; Larissa and Jared Lechner; and Hilarie and Neil Damme.

Memorials are suggested to the family’s choice.

Fusselman-Wymore Funeral Home, Syracuse, was in charge of arrangements.