Marlene Ruth Smith

Marlene Ruth (Rahe) Smith, 90, of Junction City, Kansas went to heaven on Friday, August 16, 2024 at Reflection Living in Wichita, Kansas.

A funeral service will take place at Immanuel Lutheran Church with Pastor Rick Marrs and Pastor Tim McCall officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will follow the funeral at Highland Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to Immanuel Lutheran Church, Phoenix Home Care & Hospice of Wichita, Kansas, or Geary County 4-H.

Marlene was born October 13, 1933, in Palmer, Kansas, the daughter of Emil and Clara (Rodehorst) Rahe. She was raised on a farm with her three brothers and graduated as valedictorian from Linn High School in 1951. After graduating, she worked for REA in Clay Center, Kansas and Kansas Power and Light in Salina, Kansas.

On July 11, 1965, she married Orville Jerry Smith in Salina, Kansas. They moved to Junction City, Kansas where they lived and worked for over 50 years.
Marlene worked for many years for Geary County Public Schools as a secretary at Junction City High School. She was an active member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Junction City, serving on the Evangelism Committee, singing in the choir, participating in Bible Study, making quilts with the Mission Sewers group, and volunteering within both the church and school. She supported the Geary County 4-H as a volunteer as well as volunteering as an election worker for Geary County.

In her free time, Marlene was an avid supporter of Junction City High School athletics and attended games with Jerry whenever possible. She was a loyal Kansas State fan, attending and watching games with family to cheer on the Wildcats as often as she could. Marlene was well known for frequently sending cards and letters to friends and family, and even regularly sending well wishes and encouragement to coaches and athletes from Junction City High School. She loved baking cookies and making other treats to share with friends and family and giving generously to many charities. Above all, she loved her family with her whole heart and soul as a wife, mother, grandma, and great-grandma, and was a loyal, supportive friend and faithful servant of the Lord.

Marlene is survived by her daughter, Pat (Armin) Mock of Wichita, Kansas; brother, Ronald (Alethia) Rahe of Salina, Kansas; two granddaughters, Heather Mock of Wichita, Kansas and Beth (Marc) Huff of Lincoln, Nebraska; one grandson, Jeremy (Mallory) Mock of Derby, Kansas; son-in-law, Ernest Melcher of Thorndale, Texas; five great-grandsons; and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 58 years Jerry; her parents; one son, Robert J. Smith; one daughter, Cindy Melcher; two brothers, Robert Rahe and Elmo Rahe.

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