Marlene A. Brewer, 72, of Bloomington, passed away on Sunday (December 1, 2013) at her residence. Cremation rites have been accorded, and in keeping with her joy of life, there will be no service or visitation in her honor. Marlene asks that memorials be made to the Humane Society of Central Illinois located in Bloomington-Normal. Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home, Bloomington, is taking care of these arrangements.

     Marlene was born in Galesburg, Illinois on May 3, 1941, the daughter of Arvey and Judith (Johnson) Hanson, and married her best friend and soul mate Larry Brewer on Dec. 28, 1975. Larry preceded her in death on March 1, 2013.

     Her parents also preceded her in death. Surviving family members include her sister Marilyn (Gene) Griffin of Panama City, FL; step-son Christopher (Julie) Brewer and step-granddaughters Brittany (Brad) Scott and Stephanie (David) Fox of Stanford, IL; step-daughter Collette "Angie" (Dan) Kensinger and step-granddaughter Amanda of Normal, IL.; step-great-grandson, Evan Scott; nephews Steven Griffin of Southport, FL and Bruce (Marie) Griffin of Panama City, FL.

     Also surviving are special family friends, Keith and Julie Smith, Bloomington, and Nancy (Mark) Lambert, St. Louis, MO.; and her constant faithful companion, her Lhasa Apso "Dalai."

     Marlene graduated from Galesburg High School in 1959. At GHS, she was a member of the National Honor Society, sang in the A Cappella Choir and Girls Sextet, a member of Orchesis (Modern Dance Club), Pep Club, and GAA. In the summer of 1960, Marlene was crowned Miss Knox County Fair.

Marlene attended Western Illinois University, where she majored in Business Education and graduated with honors. While at WIU, she was involved in Pi Omega Pi (Honorary Business Society), Kappa Delta Phi (Honorary Education Fraternity), University Choir, Sigma Kappa Sorority, participated in WIU Theatre Musicals, Pom Pom Sqaud, Student Government Representative, and Bennett House Council.

Marlene's first teaching position was Truman Elementary in Key West, FL. Upon returning to Galesburg, IL, in 1964, she taught for ten years at the elementary and junior high level. She also worked seven years as the assistant to the Secretary of the Knox County Fair in Knoxville, IL

     In 1974, Marlene moved to Bloomington, IL where she worked at Champion Federal while pursuing her love of teaching, and secured a position in the Business Department at Normal Community High School, where she taught for the next 20 years. After retiring in 1994 for one year, she returned to the classroom at Normal West High School. In 1997, she joined the newly formed Bloomington-Normal Education Alliance where she worked until 2004.

Marlene enjoyed dancing and singing throughout her lifetime, performed with the Galesburg Sweet Adelines, and studied and performed various types of dance. She enjoyed travelling and her life with Larry; and was an avid animal lover, especially dogs, often referring to them as her "furry children." Marlene was active in the church, and is currently a member of Second Presbyterian Church in Bloomington, IL.

     Marlene hopes to be remembered as a teacher who made a difference in her students' lives, especially those in her senior Office Practice Classes where students were learning various office skills and work habits to enable their successful employment in the business world.