Marvin and Esther (Mekelburg) Brockmeier and their daughter, Shirley, welcomed Marlene Ruth into the family on December 12, 1939. Marlene passed away at Hillcrest Nursing Home in Wray, CO on September 10, 2025.
Marlene attended school in Yuma, graduating high school in 1957. She then attended Colorado State Teacher’s College (now UNC) graduating in 1961. The year 1961 was eventful for Marlene. She got engaged on April 30, graduated from college on May 30 and married Kenneth Serl on July 30.
Ken and Marlene lived in Haxtun, where she taught school. Ken was then transferred and they moved to Indianola, Nebraska where they were involved in a variety of activities. They especially loved their frequent competitive pitch games with special friends.
Ken and Marlene were the parents of three children who were all born in Cambridge, Nebraska: Kendra Marlene, Karma Jo and Kip William.
Due to a change in employment, they moved back to Yuma in 1976. Marlene always seemed to have a job of some kind. In 1979, Ken and Marlene opened a commodities office together. Marlene then landed a job at the bank. She often said that at least at the bank she got a lunch hour and a paycheck.
After 18 years at the bank, she retired in 2002. When Ken passed away in 2005, she went back to work, this time as a commodity broker. In 2009, she retired again and moved to town.
In 2012, Marlene joined Bill McFarland in the couples golf league. They enjoyed playing golf, attending ball games and going on vacations.
Marlene was preceded in death by her husband, Ken Serl, parents Marvin and Esther Brockmeier, in-laws Alvin and Vonda Serl, Bruce and Lois Serl, Les Serl, Harold and Marie Frink as well as numerous aunts and uncles and special friend, Bill McFarland.
Marlene is survived by her children, Kendra and Daryl Wagner, Karma and Doug Wells and Kip and Tonya Serl and her grandchildlren, Kayla and Mike Bailey, Lauren and Brandon Hanlon-Hernandez, Steven Wells and Anna Anchondo, Matthew Wagner and Sierra Miller, Samantha Wells, Kensie Serl, Kennedy Serl and Logan Mann, Kena Serl, Kendrick Serl and Kenneth Serl. She also has five great grandchildren, Adilynn and Brynn Bailey, Olivia and Nolan Hanlon-Hernandez, and Caidyn Anchondo. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins.