- Date Of Birth: June 1, 1950
- Date Of Death: December 13, 2016
- State: New Mexico
Marlene Proft, 66, beloved mother and wife, was called to her eternal heavenly home on December 13, 2016. She was delivered into this world by Tom Brokaw’s father-in-law on June 1, 1950 in Yankton, SD. She was the first daughter born to Allen and Leona Smith.Marlene grew up in Woodbury, MN. She graduated from North St. Paul High School in 1968. She graduated from Concordia College, St. Paul, MN with a Bachelor of Education in 1972. She also received a Master’s in Curriculum Development from Concordia University, Irvine, CA in 1994.
Marlene taught at Lutheran schools in Minnesota, North Dakota, Maryland, California and New Mexico. She also taught at public schools in North Dakota, United Kingdom, California and Maryland. The grade levels that she taught ranged from kindergarten to 8th grade. Her teaching career lasted for 24 years, retiring in 2010. Her final teaching position was at Immanuel Lutheran School, Albuquerque.
She always created new lessons each year even if she taught the same grade. She had a zeal to teach the next generation about American history. While in California, she loved to take classes on an annual trip to Washington DC, Gettysburg and Philadelphia. She inspired her students to have a joy of learning. For instance when teaching 7th grade in CA, each year she took her class for a week long marine biology camp on Catalina Island.
Wherever they lived, Don and Marlene would find a home church. Faithful members, Marlene loved to sing in the choir.
Marlene met Donovan Proft in high school. She married Don of St. Paul, MN on June10, 1972. During the 47 years of marriage, Marlene made the adjustments to start over at each new assignment of Don’s military career. They had two children, Donovan C. Proft and Allison Proft.
Marlene was preceded in death by her parents, Allen and Leona Smith.
She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Donovan M. Proft; son, Donovan C. Proft of San Diego, CA; and daughter, Allison Proft of home. She is also survived by brother, Glenn (Millie) Smith, Fresno, CA; sister, Karen (Jerry) Peterson of Oklahoma City, OK and sister, Renee (Dale) Schneider of Afton, MN.
Monday, December 19th, 2016, 8:00am – 10:00am, Immanuel Lutheran Church
Monday, December 19th, 2016, 10:00am, Immanuel Lutheran Church
