Marlene Hess

Marlene Ruth (Larson) Hess, 86, went to her heavenly home, September 29, 2023, after a short illness. Marlene was born July 2, 1937, in Belvidere, IL to Frank and Mildred (Swanson) Larson. After Marlene graduated from Belvidere High School in 1955, she studied teaching at North Park College in Chicago, IL. She worked as a teacher’s aide for many years, but her favorite job was being a homemaker and raising her 4 children. Marlene was a lifelong member of Belvidere Evangelical Covenant Church. She married Earl Hess on March 6, 1992. They moved to Cabool, MO where they enjoyed the outdoors and made many lifelong friends. Everyone that knew Marlene knew of her passion for quilting and how much she loved to sew. She made countless quilts, clothes and doll clothes for her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, but her greatest love was being Grandma Dear to them. She enjoyed teaching them how to sew, bake, craft & garden and always had a project ready to create with them. She very proud of her Swedish heritage and looked forward to her son’s kroppkakors and her daughters making her pepparkakor cookies.
Marlene was preceded in death by her parents Frank and Mildred Larson, infant brother Wayne, infant daughter Carolyn Joy, husband Earl Hess, and best friend since kindergarten, Sherry Greenhow.
She is survived by her children Lynnel Ruth (Michael) Olson of Oregon, IL, Randy Gerald (Jeanelle) Obermiller of Rockford, IL, Ellen Kay Wendel of Rockford, IL, Kari Sue (Joe) Schelling of Stillman Valley, IL, grandson Dane Anders Camling, granddaughter Kristyn Rae (Anthony) DiFulvio, granddaughter Chloe Elizabeth Wendel, grandson Samuel Joseph Schelling, granddaughter Claire Grace Schelling, great-grandchildren Leo, Vinny, Avi & Roman DiFulvio. A celebration of her life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the family. Stateline Cremations is assisting the family, 6204 Forest Hills Rd., Loves Park, IL. www.statelinecremations.com