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NEW ULM--Marlene Johnson, age 81 of New Ulm, died Thursday, August 27, 2026 at the New Ulm Medical Center.
A funeral service will be at 12 p.m. on Wednesday, September 2, 2026 at Minnesota Valley Funeral Home - SOUTH chapel with Father Jerry Meidl officiating. Ennichement will be in the New Ulm Catholic Cemetery Columbarium. Visitation will be held from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at the funeral home prior to the service.The Christian Mother's will pray the rosary at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, September 1, 2026 at Cathedral of the Holy Trinity. To leave an online condolence for the family, or to sign the guestbook, go to: mvfh.org
Marlene is survived by her children, Brian (LuAnn Roberts) Johnson and Jody (Dave) Schmiesing; grandchildren, Tyler (Grace Raatz) Schmiesing, Wade (Bryson Milburn) Johnson, Logan Johnson, Kyle (Abby) Schmiesing, and Jenna (Matt Ness) Miller; great-grandchildren, Tucker and Taylor Schmiesing, Jace Miller, Eli, Kellan, and Marley Schmiesing; sisters-in-laws, Lorell Riederer and Mary Ann Riederer; other in-laws; numerous nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Leo and Matilda Riederer; brothers, James, John, Leonard, Brother Cletus, Gerald, and Eugene Riederer; sisters, Alyce Sprenger and Marie Hillesheim; nephews, Dean Reiderer and Michael Hillesheim.
Marlene Bertha Riederer was born September 20, 1944 in Comfrey to Leo and Matilda (Platz) Riederer. Marlene attended schools at Leavenworth, Comfrey and Sleepy Eye, where she graduated from in 1962. After graduation, she attended Johnson's Beauty Academy in Mankato. Marlene was employed at Lorraine's Beauty Salon and various shops in Albert Lea. She also worked for Del Monte and Sleepy Eye Creamery. She then worked for Randalls Super Value for five years. Marlene settled in to working as a media and special education secretary with the New Ulm Public Schools for 33 years, retiring in 2010. She took great pride in her work with the schools. On July 24, 1965, Marlene was united in marriage to Tom E. Johnson at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye. Together they raised their two children, Brian and Jody.
Marlene battled with a rare cancer for the last year and 8 months. She wanted time so she did all she could to get that time. She was so much more than the cancer she fought. She was full of life. She could be wild and crazy and the life of the party! She loved making people laugh and enjoy the moment. Family and friends were everything to her. She was the ultimate caregiver; always there to listen, pick up the pieces and always had advice whether you wanted it or not!
Marlene was so proud of her family. Grandma and GiGi were her favorite titles after Wife and Mom. She was always there for her family. She loved to cook for them. She was creative and loved to make crafts for them. She loved her dogs and grand dogs. She supported everyone always; whether it was taking care of her family or helping with the grandkids or great-grandkids, they could always count on her. She loved each and every birth of her grandchildren. She loved to see them or talk to them and catch up on what they were doing. She absolutely loved to watch each and every one of them grow up! She was fighting cancer especially to meet her first great girl grandchild who was named in her honor. She got to meet her and spend some time with her which gave her some peace.
In Marlene's free time, she volunteered for District 88, Friends of the Library, and the Brown County Historical Society, where she was also a member. Marlene was a devout, long-time member of St. Mary's Catholic Church and a member of the Christian Mother's.
We know Marlene is watching out for us and still running the show from heaven, but she will be missed so very much. God bless her loving soul.