Obituary for Marlene E. Horstman

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Marlene Elsie Horstman, 90, of West Salem, WI, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 25, 2026. Marlene was born on October 29, 1935, in La Crosse, WI, to William and Mabel (Johnson) Faas. She married Donald Horstman on August 25, 1956.

A longtime resident of West Salem, Marlene was proud of her family and especially her boys. She will be dearly missed by her sons and their families: Brian (Patty) Horstman, Gary (Deb) Horstman, Donnie (Dorothy) Horstman, Randy (Deborah Jones) Horstman, and Richard (Gwen) Horstman; 16 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and many other family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Mabel Faas; husband Don, brother Robert; and sisters Betty and Dolly.

Marlene worked as a seamstress at Jack Winters, La Crosse Garment Factory, and ORC. She and Don later moved to what has become the Horstman family farm in Barre Mills, WI in the 1980’s where they began beef farming and created a home filled with family memories.

Marlene loved spending time with her family and enjoyed hosting many family holidays throughout the years (making sure every grandchild and great grandchild was thought of year after year). She enjoyed annual family camping trips, Friday night fish dinners, and reading Harlequin romance novels. She was known for making lefse and her signature iced Christmas cookies, which brought joy to many family gatherings and will be fondly remembered by those who loved her.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the Gundersen Health System Hospice Department and the caregivers at Benedictine Nursing Home for the compassionate and loving care they provided Marlene during her short stay.

A Christian Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 am on July 8, 2026, at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, 500 Park St, West Salem, WI. Rev. Adam Lambrecht will officiate. Burial will be held in Mormon Coulee Memorial Park Cemetery in La Crosse. A visitation will be held from 10:00 am until the time of service Wednesday at the church.

There will also be a visitation from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 pm on Tuesday, July 7, 2026 at Fredrickson Funeral Homes, 121 N Youlon St, West Salem, WI.

Online condolences may be offered to Marlene's family at this site.