Marianne DePoppe, age 89, of Albert Lea, MN passed away peacefully at her home on May 31, 2024. A favorite hymn “The Old Rugged Cross” was quietly playing as she took her last breath on earth and went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Marianne H. DePoppe

Marianne was born on a farm in Walters, MN on November 15, 1934. She was the daughter of

August and Elsie (Martin) Sonksen. She graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1952. On November 28, 1954, she married Donald DePoppe and celebrated 32 Anniversaries until his passing in 1986. Together they had four children.

Marianne worked for Northwestern Bell as a telephone operator after high school, became a wife, homemaker, mother, and lifelong volunteer after she got married. After her youngest started school, she started working for the Albert Lea School District as a para-educator. She treasured the time with staff and all the students who passed through her classroom and ended up working for 39 years, retiring just before her 80th birthday.

Marianne was confirmed, married, and an active participant at Salem Lutheran Church. She taught Sunday school, was a bible study leader, church council member, WELCA president, “sew and tell” member, choir member, and planned many programs throughout the years.

Marianne liked to keep active; she roller-skated as a teen, roller-bladed and speed-walked as a young grandma, and looked forward to exercise classes and walking the halls in her last days at Thornecrest. She was part of the Grape Vine Square Dancers, Shriners Auxiliary, and was one of the story ladies at the Albert Lea Doll Museum. She was a faithful Rendezvous Organizer from the very beginning in 1987 and volunteered for many years.

Marianne loved her family and had many special friends. She regularly read her Bible and spent time in prayer. She opened her home, served meals, baked apple pies, birthday cakes, and cookies, attended civic music concerts, theater productions, and dance & piano recitals. She  traveled to a few memorable places and played cards for many years with the best of friends. She camped and fished with family in the great outdoors. She was strong, hard-working, creative, kind, and loved all those God put in her path.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, sister, and brother-in-law Kate (Donald) Babbitt, and brother and sister-in-law Carl (Mary) Sonksen. Brother-in-law Maynard Olson.

She is survived by her children, Randy (Lynda) DePoppe of Racine, WI, Julie (Gregg) Reedstrom of Rapidan, MN, Lon (Darci) DePoppe of St. James, MN and Kari (Jay) Veenker of Hanover, MN, her brother and sister-in-law Edward (Peggy) Sonksen, sister Pauline Olson and sister and brother-in-law Shirley (Ray) Tukua along with 16 grandchildren and 14  great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, June 27th at Salem Lutheran Church, with a visitation beginning one hour before. A lunch will be served following the service. Interment will be at Hillcrest Cemetery.