Marlene K. Phillips, age 85 of Monroe died Sunday June 25, 2023 at Aster Assisted Living. She was born on March 3, 1938 in Monroe, the daughter of Reno and Freida (Klingbiel) Schwartzlow. She attended Monroe schools. Marlene married Frank Thorp in 1955 in Monroe, she later married Jack Phillips in 1983 in Monticello. She farmed with Frank on the Thorp Family Farm, she also worked for Roy’s Dairy and had her own cleaning service. Marlene enjoyed square dancing, playing cards, bird watching, ceramics and was an avid gardener; she also belonged to Yester-Year Car Club; but her greatest joy was spending time with her family.

She is survived by her children: Michael (Renee) Thorp, James (Sheryl) Thorp and Diane (Steve Bergemann) Albright, all of Monroe; grandchildren: Chandra (Jeremy) Pelikan, Amity (Sean) Messerli, Micah (Shandra Coplien) Thorp, Kyle (Jennifer) Thorp, Daniel (McKenzie) Thorp, Mike (Shannon Menehan) Patterson; 4 great grandchildren.  Also survived by step-children, John (Kathy) Phillips, Cindy Yaun, and Diana (Sergey) Tumashova and their families. She was preceded in death by her husbands; brothers: Kenny and Nate; grandsons: Timothy and Matthew Thorp; son-in-law, Lon Albright.

A Celebration of Marlene’s Life will be held at Twining Valley Community Room on Saturday, July 22, 2023 from 12:30-4:30 PM.  Shriner Hager Gohlke Funeral Home is assisting the family.  Condolences may be sent to the family at: shriner111.com.