Marlene Reynolds

Marlene (Hemmerich) Reynolds, 78, of Detroit Lakes, MN, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at Oak Crossing in Detroit Lakes.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 8, at Zion Lutheran Church in Detroit Lakes. Interment will take place in the spring at Greenwood Cemetery in Park Rapids, MN.

Visitation will be held from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, February 7, at David-Donehower Funeral Home in Detroit Lakes, with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.

Marlene Ann Hemmerich was born on May 15, 1946, in Park Rapids, MN, to Roy and Helen (Parks) Hemmerich. She attended Park Rapids schools and graduated from Park Rapids High School in 1964.

Following graduation, Marlene moved to Minneapolis with friends, where she was introduced to Chuck Reynolds through a mutual friend. The couple became engaged on Valentine’s Day in 1966 and were married on June 4 of that year at St. John's Lutheran Church in Park Rapids. In August 1966, they settled in Detroit Lakes, where they built a home and a life together.

Marlene devoted her early years to raising their two children, David and Kathy. Once they were older, she returned to work and found joy in her role at Rossman Elementary, where she worked with special needs children for 30 years until her retirement.

A dedicated member of Zion Lutheran Church for 57 years, Marlene was deeply involved in her faith community, always willing to lend a helping hand. She and Chuck made their home on Little Floyd Lake from 1968 to 2017 before moving to North Shore Condos in Detroit Lakes. After retiring, they spent winters in Panama City Beach, FL, cherishing time with friends and family.

Marlene will be remembered for her kind and generous heart. She found true joy in the company of her loved ones and was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She had an incredible ability to make others feel welcomed and cherished, always eager to listen, laugh, and lend support to those in need.

Marlene is survived by her son, David (Jody) Reynolds of Rogers, MN; her daughter, Katherine Thielen of Maple Grove, MN; and her beloved grandchildren: Rachel Thielen of Scottsdale, AZ, Gloria Reynolds of Minneapolis, MN, Alexander Thielen of Chaska, MN, Elijah Reynolds of Monticello, MN, and Morgan Thielen of Phoenix, AZ.

She is also survived by her brother, Earl Hemmerich of Nisswa, MN; brothers-in-law Wayne Reynolds of Clearwater, MN, and Kenny Reynolds of Glenwood Springs, CO; sisters-in-law Judy (Charlie) Phillips of Nevis, MN, and Linda (Rich) Remiger of Apple Valley, MN; as well as special family friends Brad (Kristi) Ice of Wadena, MN, and Roy Smith of Detroit Lakes, MN.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Charles Reynolds; her parents, Roy and Helen Hemmerich; her brothers, Leonard and Gordon Hemmerich; and sisters-in-law Jeannine Hemmerich, Nancy Reynolds, and Judy Reynolds, along with many dear family members and friends who held a special place in her heart.

Memorials are preferred to Zion Lutheran Church of Detroit Lakes or the Cancer Care Fund of the Essentia Health–St. Mary’s Detroit Lakes Foundation.

Marlene’s warmth, kindness, and unwavering love will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.