Marlene Vander Zanden passed away on Tuesday, March 31, 2020. She was born on January 9, 1937 in Bonduel, WI, second child of Rawley and Irene Birkholz. Marlene married Thomas Vander Zanden on March 22, 1986. They enjoyed 33 years of marriage together. He preceded her in death on June 23, 2019. Marlene was a teacher in the Ashwaubenon School District for 33 years, retiring in 1996.  She held a Bachelor's degree from UW Oshkosh.

She traveled the world over with Tom, loved to ski, golf, and was an avid reader of novels, as well as an ever enthusiastic Packer fan.  She had a deep and lasting impact on the lives of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

She is survived by 3 children:  Karen  (Roger) Hellenbrand, Gary (Barbara) Schneider, and Kay (Lester) Freund and 4 step children: Peter (Jenny) Vander Zanden, Ginger (Wayne) Micksch, Ann (Jim) Van Pee, Ellen (Mark) Anderson;  grandchildren: Jessica (Jeff), Aaron (Darcy), David (Breanna), Rebekah (Matt), and Elizabeth (James);  step grandchildren: Scott (Lori), Steve (Heather), Molly (Brent), Dan Simmons, Jacob (Brenda), Emmalee, Bill (Michele), Paul (Sonja), Katie (Matt), Max (Maureen), Mitch (Kalin) and Molly (Ryan) and 30 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her brothers and sisters: Marcia Boler, Diane Kramer, Dennis (Sandy) Birkholz, Richard (Mary Kay) Birkholz, Mike Birkholz, Debbie Gegare, Sue Anderson.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Thomas VanderZanden; her parents, Rawley and Irene Birkholz; her brother, Wayne Birkholz; her step grandchildren Maureen Anderson and Lindsay Simmons.

Her children offer special thanks to the staff of Woodside Lutheran Nursing Home and Unity Hospice for their loving care of their mother during her stay there.

A joyous celebration of her life is tentatively scheduled for Sunday, May 3, 2020 at The Rite Place at 12:00 noon in Green Bay. Online condolences welcome at www.PfotenhauerFuneralHome.com