Marlene A. Allen

Marlene (Watermolen) Allen, “Marnie”, 90, devoted wife, extraordinary mother, dedicated sister, loving grandmother, and life-enhancer.  A resident of Sturgeon Bay, WI and former resident of Suamico, WI, Marlene passed away peacefully in her sleep and was joyfully reunited with her “Bunky” on September 6, 2022. 

Marlene was born on October 7,1931, in Detroit, MI to Norbert and Una (Levette) Watermolen.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter (Bunky) Allen; parents; sister, Beverly Trudell; brother-in-law, Rick Allen; and dearest friend, Sue Kennedy.

Marlene was raised in Detroit and Los Angeles before moving with her family to Green Bay and competing her senior year at West High School.  Marlene graduated from the Patricia Stevens School of Modeling in Chicago.  A gifted singer with a vivacious personality, Marlene was crowned Miss Green Bay 1951, and was 1st runner up in the 1952 Miss Wisconsin pageant.  Marlene met Bunky at Dean’s Ice Cream Parlor in Green Bay, thus beginning a beautiful love story.  They married on May 30, 1952.  Steadfast in their devotion to each other and their family, together Marlene and Bunky raised six children on the 26-acre B-Bar-M Ranch in Suamico.  Honesty, faith, independence, and a strong work ethic were values they instilled in their children. 

Marlene had an incredible zest for life that led her down many paths.  She had an avid love of learning; if something interested her, she conquered it!  Over the years, she enjoyed upholstering antique furniture, playing the guitar, singing in the church choir, making floral arrangements, speaking French, and creating watercolor paintings. In her child-raising years, she was president of the PTA, formed and ran the Suamico Recreation Department Dance program, and was an active member of St Benedict Church and the Trailblazers Horse Club.  Those years were spent riding horses and competing in shows, camping across the country, and boating down the Mississippi River and around the Greater Green Bay areas.  In retirement, Marlene and Bunky built their dream home on the shores of Sturgeon Bay.  Marlene immersed herself life in Door County and its history, becoming a popular tour guide, a member and speaker at the Door County Historical Society, and author of the textbook used in Door County third grade history classrooms.  She was an avid genealogist who traced both sides of the family back several generations.  She spent many active winters in Naples, Fl and particularly enjoyed trips to Hawaii, England, France, her numerous “girls’ trips” and trips with her children and grandchildren.  Above all, however, was her fierce love and devotion to her husband and children. 

She is survived by her children, Debra Servais Suamico; John (Becky Barnes), Naples, FL; Walter (Lisa Miller), Abrams; Mark (Missy DeRuyter), Sturgeon Bay; Cindy (Greg Kasson), Maple Grove, MN; and Heidi (John Colleran), Punta Gorda, FL.  Further survived by her sisters, Donna Fialko and Anna Poplin; sister-in-law, Jean Allen; 17 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Funeral services will be at 12:00 noon, Tuesday, September 13, 2022, at Corpus Christi Catholic Church with Rev. Ryan Kreuger officiating.  Burial will be in Fort Howard Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until the time of services at the church on Tuesday.

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