Marlene Semke

Marlene Semke (nee Wirth), of Saint Charles, MO, passed away Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at the age of 89. She was born in St. Louis County, MO on July 30, 1937 to the late Benard and Lillie Lanzer Wirth; she married the late Frederick G. Semke Jr. on April 11, 1959. She was the devoted mother of Frederick B. (Patricia) Semke, III, Suzy (Brian) Schultehenrich, Von (Brenda) Semke, and Carolyn (Kenneth) Kleeschulte; loving grandmother of Grace (Shannon) Weber, Rosemary (Nicholas) Werner, Frederick C. (Caroline) Semke, IV, Abby Schultehenrich, Todd Schultehenrich, Molly Schultehenrich, Ryan Semke, Brooke Semke, Sara Kleeschulte, and the late Natalie Kleeschulte; treasured great-grandmother of twins, Emett and Emery Schultehenrich, Jordan James, Evelyn Weber, Andrew Weber, Matilda Werner, Beatrice Werner, and Otto Werner; aunt of numerous nieces and nephews; dear sister of the late Lillie Kremer, the late Lucille Arft, and her late baby sister, Lillie Wirth.

Marlene graduated from Maplewood-Richmond Heights High School, where she played many sports, including professional softball with the Manchester Reds. She grew up on a farm in Manchester, MO and continued to live on a farm with her late husband, Fred, in St. Charles, MO. She loved working in the field and driving the tractor. She was a hard worker her entire life as a mother, homemaker, and family caretaker. In 1983 she went to work as a payroll administrator for 20 years with a contract engineering company.

Marlene dearly loved children and took care of many even if they weren't her own, opening her home to many. She cherished her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren deeply, caring for and babysitting them whenever. She loved attending all the children and grandchildrens' activities with her husband, it was her favorite thing to do. Marlene was always good at caring for others, enjoyed cooking and housework, famously known for her cheeseburgers and pineapple upside down cake.

Marlene’s family would like to thank Cedarhurst Senior Living of St Charles for their love and care over the past five years where she was treated like family. She enjoyed the many activities at Cedarhurst, especially dancing at her weekly happy hour and even riding with her Cedarhurst friends on the bus to the family farm.

Marlene was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Memorials may be made in Marlene's name to the Alzheimer’s Association or Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital.