Marlene Lois Hefta

   Marlene Lois Hefta, 78, of Mayville, ND, passed away on Monday, Nov 23, 2020 at Touchmark Retirement Community.  She was comforted by her husband Chuck and son Neil during her final days.

   Marlene was born to Harold and Ida Braaten on Feb 24, 1942 in Mayville, ND at Mayville Union Hospital.  She grew up on the Braaten Family farm a few miles North of Mayville with her sister Alice.  After completing her Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Concordia College, she took her first teaching position at Lincoln Elementary school in Fargo, ND.  Marlene went on to teach for over thirty years in special education, impacting the lives of countless students within the Fargo Public Schools.

   While living in Mayville during the summer of her senior year she met the man who would become her husband, Charles Hefta. They met during a carnival in Hatton, ND. Charles and Marlene were united in marriage on August 3^rd, 1963 at Bethany Church near Mayville, ND. They moved to Fargo and both started to teach in the Fargo Public schools. Christian values guided Charles and Marlene as they raised their two children Kent and Neil in the Fargo area. They were happily married for over 58 years.

   During her life journey, Marlene enjoyed spending time traveling, scrapbooking, shopping, and spending time with family and friends.  Through her teaching years, Marlene established many cherished friendships that were an important part of her life and became like family.  Furthering her passion for travel, Marlene and one of her dear teaching friends purchased and ran Variety Tours.  She loved her time leading tours to New York City, seeing plays, and visiting the many tourist attractions. 

   After her retirement from the Fargo Public Schools, Charles and Marlene moved to AZ during the winter months to spend more time with her son Neil, daughter-in-law Shannon, and granddaughter McKenna.  This also allowed her to spend time with her sister Alice and extended family in Arizona.

   Marlene is survived by her husband of 58 years, Charles; her son Neil Hefta, her daughter-in-law Shannon, beloved granddaughter Mckenna and nieces Stacy Kosednar, Shelly Mueller, Nancy Johnson, Connie Carter, Kerry Hefta, Kristi Brindle, Julie Harris, and nephews Ron Hefta, Donald Hefta, Brad Johnson, Kurt Johnson, Brian Johnson, Kevin Cooper, Steve Osland, Arlen Hefta, Dean Hefta, Greg Hefta, Mark Hefta and families. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Ida Braaten, her son Kent, and her sister Alice Walen. She will be remembered fondly as a devoted and loving wife, mother, and grandmother, aunt, teacher and friend to many.

   In Memory of Marlene we have set up two memorials for donation:

Fargo Public Schools Foundation to support the special education programs: Mail donations: FPS Foundation 1305 9^th Avenue South, 58103 or

Online: fargoschoolsfoundation.org

Alzheimer’s Association MN/ND Chapter: Mail donations:  7900 West 78^th Street, Suite 100, Minneapolis, MN 55439 or online: www.alz.org

Masks are required.

Visitation:  Will be one hour prior to the service at the church.

Funeral Service: Will be held at 1:00 PM Tuesday, December 8, 2020 at the Aurdal Lutheran Church in Portland, ND.

Burial: Will be in the Aurdal Cemetery in Portland, ND.