Marlene Sue Penkava

Marlene Sue Penkava was born in Humboldt, Nebraska on October 22, 1949, to Lester and Agnes Penkava, one of three girls born into the family. After a valiant battle with pancreatic cancer, the angels came to take her Home on November 17, 2018.

Marlene grew up in Humboldt and attended kindergarten through high school there, graduating with the class of 1968. From there, she went to Omaha and attended Commercial Extension School of Commerce. Marlene lived in Omaha for the rest of her life.

Marlene began her working career at the Dairy Diner in Humboldt, then the Dairy Palace, also in Humboldt. After graduating from CE in Omaha, she was first employed in an administrative role at the Boy Scouts of America. From there, Marlene moved to Union Pacific Railroad where she had the opportunity to learn computer programming. After working at the railroad for 14 years, Marlene was then employed at Blue Cross Blue Shield for three years, again in a computer programming role. She finished up her computer programming career at First Data Resources where she worked for 15 years.

Marlene was a very caring, giving, nurturing person. After her mother passed, she welcomed her father into her home where they both lived for most of the rest of her father’s life. At one point in her life, Marlene volunteered in the pediatric ward at one of the Omaha area hospitals where she held and rocked sick infants and played with the toddlers and other children who were ill. If you admired something Marlene had, be it an item of clothing, a piece of jewelry, a kitchen gadget or whatever, she most likely would give it to you. Everyone who knew her considered her a friend.

Marlene will be remembered for her infectious smile and her ability to listen with interest to whatever you had to say. Never having any children of her own, her nieces and nephews and great nieces and great nephews were a source of great joy to her. Marlene participated in their lives to the extent that she could and always tried to be there for their life events.

Marlene was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents and one niece. Left to mourn are, sisters; Nancy Smith and her husband Richard, Bonny Hein and her husband Andy; nieces Amanda (Yates) Nervig and Alaynia (Smith) Kislig and her husband Matt; nephews, Nathan Smith and his wife Kathy, Sean Smith and his wife Sheila and Charles Yates and his wife Cara; great-nieces Stephanie Smith, Charlotte Smith, Claire Kislig and London Yates; great-nephews Joshua Smith, Nicholas Smith, Benjamin Smith, Noah Kislig, Luke Kislig, Fox Nervig and Truett Yates and a host of other relatives and friends.

Marlene chose cremation for her earthly body. Inurnment will be in the Humboldt Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Memorial donations are welcome to the benefactors’ choice. Condolences may be sent to 7822 N. 153rd Street, Bennington, NE 68007.

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