Coping with Grief
We would like to offer our sincere support to anyone coping with grief. Enter your email below for our complimentary daily grief messages. Messages run for up to one year and you can stop at any time. Your email will not be used for any other purpose.
Marlene Ann (Fredrickson) Switzer went to be with her heavenly father on January 19, 2022 at the age of 87. Marlene was born May 17, 1934 to Harold and Olive Fredrickson on her parents’ farm in Osage City, Kansas. Marlene loved growing up on the farm with her brothers and had many fond memories of that time. She attended Rapp School, a one-room schoolhouse, through 8th grade before graduating from Osage City High School in 1952. After attending the College of Emporia, where she was active in school and was homecoming attendant, Marlene attended Nursing School at Trinity Lutheran Hospital in Kansas City where she obtained training to become a Registered Nurse. While attending Trinity, she went on a blind date and met the love of her life, Lloyd Switzer of Oakley, Kansas who was in the Air Force. After a short courtship, Lloyd and Marlene were married in Osage City, Kansas on June 23, 1957. Lloyd and Marlene were blessed with five children and shared more than 62 years together before Lloyd’s passing in November, 2019.
After short stays in Salina, Hutchinson and Wichita, Lloyd and Marlene moved with their five children to Ottawa, Kansas in 1967, where they lived the rest of their lives. Shortly after moving to Ottawa, Marlene found employment at Cedar House Nursing Home (later known as Ottawa Retirement Village) as a Registered Nurse, where she initially worked nights so she could still care for her family. After her children got older, she started working days, eventually becoming the Director of Nursing. She continued to work at Cedar House/Ottawa Retirement Village until her retirement in 1996. Marlene also taught Certified Nurse Aide classes at Neosho County Community College.
A big part of Marlene’s life was her relationship with the Lord. Growing up she attended Grace Lutheran Church in Osage City, Kansas. After her move to Ottawa, she was a faithful and active member of Faith Lutheran Church for over 50 years. Marlene loved music and was an accomplished pianist and organist. She began playing the organ for church at the age of 14. She was organist for Faith Lutheran Church for over 40 years and also played for numerous weddings and funerals. Marlene always wanted to help others and volunteered for the Ottawa Library and Meals On Wheels. She was also a Sunday School teacher, Cub Scout leader, and Den Mother.
While music was a great love, what Marlene loved most was her family. She especially enjoyed doting on her grandchildren and eventually her great grandchildren. She enjoyed planting flowers, and especially loved her peonies. She and Lloyd loved to camp and take little trips around Kansas.
Marlene was preceded in death by her parents Harold and Olive (Anderson) Fredrickson, husband, Lloyd Switzer, daughter-in-law, Kristi Switzer, brothers Ronald Fredrickson and Duane Fredrickson, brothers-in-law Floyd Switzer, Richard Switzer and Ron Switzer and nephew, Doren Fredrickson.
Marlene is survived by sons Mark of Ottawa, Kansas; David (Holly) of Olathe, Kansas; Kevin (Teri) of Hayden, Idaho; Steven of Shawnee, Kansas; daughter, Kari (Dave) Neiswender of Ottawa, Kansas; grandchildren Kelsey (Jared) Hatesohl, Linn, Kansas; Lindsey (Jake) Sylvester, Ottawa, Kansas; Sam Switzer, Winter Garden, Florida; Zach Switzer, Shawnee, Kansas; Brian (Tracy) Hamilton, Phoenix, Arizona; Jennifer (Eduardo) Martinez del Campo, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin; and great grandchildren Adeline Sylvester, Stanton Sylvester, Hudson Hatesohl, Abigail Hatesohl and Remy Martinez del Campo. She is also survived by sisters-in-law Pat Fredrickson, Nancy Fredrickson, Donna Switzer, Sandie (LeRoy) Farmer, Shawna (Brett) Hughes; brother-in-law Roger (Pam) Switzer, along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins and longtime caregiver, Alli Kerns.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 24 2022 at Faith Lutheran Church, Ottawa, KS. Interment will follow at Highland Cemetery, Ottawa, KS. The family will greet friends for a visitation prior to the service from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Monday at the church. The family requests masks to be worn. Memorial contributions may be made to the Faith Lutheran Church and sent c/o Lamb-Roberts-Price Funeral Home, P.O. Box 14, Ottawa, KS 66067. Condolences may be sent to the family through www.lamb-roberts.com.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Marlene A Switzer, please visit our floral store.