Marlene Ethel (Guse) Kammen of Wildomar, California, a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend passed away on September 10, 2025. Marlene was born in Marengo, Illinois on December 18, 1937 to Otto and Vendla Guse. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. She graduated in 1955 from West High School in Rockford, Illinois. After high school, Marlene went to work in the Administrative Offices of Barber-Colman, a manufacturer of textile and milling machinery and other products.
Marlene married Robert “Bob” Gary Kammen in Rockford on February 2, 1957. Bob joined the U.S. Postal Service in Rockford, and later worked in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, and Mott, North Dakota, moving up the administrative ranks to Postmaster. Marlene was employed in Office Operations at the Arctic Cat snowmobile plant in Thief River Falls and at various medical offices in Mott.
When Bob retired in 1990 the couple moved to Casper, Wyoming, where they enjoyed being surrounded by mountain views and wildlife. There, Marlene served as Office Manager for Dr. Jerry Youmans’ internal medicine practice.
Marlene was an avid gardener and a compassionate, caring “pet parent” dedicated to the well-being of animals. She lovingly made knit, crocheted and counted cross-stitch gifts for her family. A lifelong Chicago Cubs fan, she enjoyed corresponding with friends and family on social media, playing on-line games, watching Hallmark movies, and listening to country music. She had been active in the VFW, bowling leagues, as well as holding several offices in the Lutheran Church. She loved when her family was together, sharing good food and laughter.
Marlene was preceded in death by her husband and his parents, Rosella and Olaf “Michael” Kammen, her parents, and infant son Timothy. She is survived by son Jeff and his wife Kay of Chaska, Minnesota; son Jerry of Casper, Wyoming; and daughter Suzanne of Wildomar, California; granddaughter Sara (Kammen) Hoff, her husband Chris, and their children Julian, Josephine, and Theodore of Shorewood, Minnesota; granddaughter Jaime (Kammen) Macias, her husband Luis, and their daughter Sofia of Chaska, Minnesota; granddaughter Justine Frieze of Rochester, Minnesota; grandson Derrick Frieze, his wife Madison, and their children Kennedy and Kayden of Wildomar, California; grandson Zachary Frieze of Bismarck, North Dakota; and sister-in-law Kathleen (Kammen) Jackson of Paragould, Arkansas.
A private burial will be held at a future date at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Machesney Park, Illinois.
Donations may be made to Animal Friends of the Valley
