Marlene Ann Holthus

CULBERTSON, Neb. -- Marlene Ann Holthus departed this life on Monday (July 25, 2016) at her home in Culbertson, NE, with her daughters by her side. She was 78 years old.

Born to parents Edgar J. and Edna (Gilchrist) Huffaker on Nov. 10, 1937, in Oxford, NE., Marlene was one of six siblings growing up in Alliance, NE.

Marlene attended school at St. Agnes Academy, in Alliance, graduating with the class of 1955.

Marlene married the love of her life, Paul Holthus, Sr., on Jan. 19, 1957, in Rapid City, SD. Making their home in the Culbertson community since 1966, the couple was blessed with seven children. Marlene was active in Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, McCook, NE, where she was a member.

Marlene worked as a Ward Clerk for Community Hospital in McCook for 35 years before her retirement. In 1995, she was the "Caring Kind" recipient and received special recognition at the annual Nebraska Association of Hospital and Health Systems convention in Lincoln, NE. Marlene's nomination stated that she was "pleasant, friendly and cheerful .. bending over backward to help when needed". Those words were true of Marlene up until her passing.

In her free time, Marlene enjoyed gardening, knitting, crocheting and embroidery.

Preceding Marlene in death was her husband, Paul Holthus, Sr.; parents, Edgar and Edna Huffaker; two daughters, Laurie Ann Holthus and Pamela Kay Torrez; and granddaughter, Cheyanne Walton.

Survivors include her two sons, Paul Holthus, Jr. and wife, Tonya, of Sidney, MT and Brad Holthus and wife, Arlinda, of LaPointe, UT; three daughters, Valerie Holthus of Culbertson, Annette and husband, Shaun Walton, of Tecumseh, NE and Jolena and husband, Dan Hyde, of Davenport, WA; two brothers, Ed Huffaker and Chuck Huffaker and wife, Laura, all of Arizona; three sisters, Barb and husband, Ted Ryan, of Arizona, Rita and husband, Sandy Craven, of Georgia and Teresa Huffaker of Arizona; 17 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, and a host of friends.

Memorials may be designated in Marlene's name.

Visitation will be Thursday, July 28, 2016, from 1 to 8 p.m. at Carpenter Breland Funeral Home in McCook.

Funeral services will be Friday, July 29, 2016, 2 p.m. at Carpenter Breland Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Timm Meyer officiating. Burial will follow in the Culbertson Cemetery, Culbertson.

Friends may send condolences to the family or sign the online guestbook at: www.carpenterbreland.com

Carpenter Breland Funeral Home of McCook has been entrusted with the arrangements for Marlene A. Holthus.