Marlene “Marlee” Daehlin, age 80 of Monticello passed away Tuesday, September 27, 2011 at her home. 

Graveside services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Friday and the Old Westbrook Cemetery in Westbrook.  Stephens Funeral Service – Westbrook Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. 

Marlene Beatrice Olson Daehlin was born in Saint Paul on May 19, 1931 to Albert A. Olson and Beatrice Johnson. A brother Gary was born 5 years later. The family moved to Hadley, MN to help on the homestead farm due to the death of Beatrice’s father.  They lived on the farm until 1939 when Marlene’s dad opened a barber shop in Slayton, MN, also owning several shops in Saint Paul. After building a home in Slayton, they still attended the Hadley Lutheran Church with Marlene, Mom and Dad taking an active part; youth work, Sunday school, men and women’s groups. The family laughingly said they lived in the Hadley Church.

When Marlee (a name she was mostly called) reached age fifteen, she experienced a very personal relationship with Jesus at a Lutheran Bible camp and decided to go into full-time Christian service.  After graduating from Slayton High School, she went on to graduate from Saint Olaf with a Christian Education, Psychology and Religion major, serving at a parish in Stanley, WI and Montevideo, MN, mostly as a Youth Minister.  At that time she was reunited with Olaf Daehlin (Ted) and they were married at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church on April 2, 1956 with all the choirs and youth participating.

Following the wedding, they moved to the cities and even though Ted worked at Honeywell, they were part time Youth Directors at Oak Knoll Lutheran and Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran. When their daughter Faith was born, they moved to their home of 40 years, leading neighborhood Bible studies, Honeywell Bible studies. Marlee led women’s retreats all over the Midwest, often accompanied by Faith and her guitar.  After adopting a mixed-race 3 year old, John, they took an active part in race issues becoming a part of the Soul Force in North Minneapolis. Marlee wrote a women’s devotional book. Both she and Ted worked in various missions; Rock Point Navajo Mission and when Ted retired from Honeywell, they took up painting, winning ‘best of show’ in Twin Cities Water Color Show. They decided to adopt another child, 3 month old, Joy. They visited a Bethany missionary in Hong Kong and upon staying with Youth with a Mission (YWAM), young people discovered that Marlee and Ted were not too old and seemed to love the balance of ages. Marlee and Ted took discipleship training and became urban missionaries in Toronto, Canada and Atlanta, GA. They smuggled Bibles into China, worked with handicapped in Japan and witnessed to God’s love in East Germany before the walls came down, with incredible blessings and special protection from the Lord. They purchased an RV and spent at least a month at a time at many YWAM bases, helping in any area needed.

In the 90’s, they moved onto the Bethany College campus, enjoying teaching Bible studies and counseling young people.  At least 5 years later, they moved to Monticello on the shore of the Mississippi River with a view of winter swans; riding their scooters to Trinity Lutheran Church; closer to children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  After 7 years, upon Ted’s home going, January 6, 2011, Marlee, extremely lonesome for Ted and the Lord, joined him on September 27th , 2011.

Marlee is survived by children: Faith Daehlin of St. Michael, John Daehlin of Arizona, & Joy (Joe) Vanderheiden of Coon Rapids; grandchildren: Jaressa (Scott) Johnson, Teddy, Mosic & Ty Greenprice and Theo & Mara Vanderheiden: great grandchildren: Asher & Lilyana Johnson; sisters-in-law Lucille Doyle of Coon Rapids, Agnus Hite of Dundee, IL & Sandy Olson; brother-in-law Robert (Valeria) Daehlin of Northfield and many other relatives and friends. Preceding her in death are her parents, brother Gary Olson and beloved husband, Ted.