| Marlene T. Rowley |

Mass of Christian Burial was held on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in St. Paul. The Reverend Alex Borzych celebrated the Mass. Deacon Phil Lukasiewicz assisted.

Audrey Butler and Amanda Strassburg were the lectors.

Virginia Schenck, Hannah Thagard, Mindee Thagard, and Debbie Mason were the Eucharistic ministers.

Rita Shoemaker, Linda Brewer, and Karen Foxworthy were the gift bearers.

Linda Kezeor played the piano.

Linda Schmaderer, Stacey Keller, Dan Nielsen, and Cindy Peters were the vocalists.

Selections included “Be Not Afraid,” “Amazing Grace” performed by Rachel Jakob, “You Are Mine,” “How Can I Help You Say Goodbye” by Patty Loveless, “Song of Farewell,” and “How Great Thou Art.”

Casket bearers included Josh Kuszak, Cody Kuszak, Cole Kuszak, Jacob Kuszak, Keith Blodgett, and Luke Blodgett.

Marlene’s body will be cremated following the Mass, with inurnment at a later date in the Nebraska State Veterans Cemetery in Grand Island.

Peters Funeral Home of St. Paul is assisting the family.

Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation.

Marlene was born November 9, 1955, at Loup City, the daughter of Dominic and Henrietta (Michalski) Kuszak. She attended Schaupps rural school and graduated from Loup City High School.

Marlene was united in marriage to Mike Rowley on November 10, 1973, in Loup City. Mike was serving in the United States Army at the time, and Marlene joined him in El Paso, Texas, until his discharge in 1974.

The couple returned to Nebraska and lived in Lexington, Wood River, and Sterling before moving to St. Paul in 1989, where they raised their two children, Cory and Summer. Marlene operated a daycare out of her home and later enjoyed babysitting her grandchildren.

She later joined the United States Postal Service and became the postmaster of the Farwell Post Office, retiring in 2014.

Marlene was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church and was active in the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 119 and the American Legion Riders, both of St. Paul.

Marlene’s family considered her the best cook in the world. She was a saint to her grandchildren, who lovingly knew her as “Gma Lene.” Her home was a favorite gathering place for after-school snacks, which often turned into four-course meals. She enjoyed traveling with family and friends, and she and Mike took many motorcycle trips, especially with Mike’s sister and brother-in-law, Marcia and Dave Provorse.

Marlene is survived by her husband, Mike; son, Cory Rowley of St. Paul; daughter and son-in-law, Summer and Trenton Tophoj of Grand Island; seven grandchildren, Whitney, Ivy, Isaiah, Jay, Dilyn, Brook, Bostyn, and Dayn; four great-grandchildren, Ellis, Abbott, Olsen, and Navy Marlene; siblings and spouses, David and Karen Kuszak of North Loup, Mike and Sherie Kuszak of Loup City, Tammy and Pat Blodgett of Central City, Kevin and Tricia Kuszak of Loup City, and Diane Weber Dailey and Larry of Marquette; Mike’s siblings, Cheryl and John Riskowski of Wood River, Randy and Joyce Rowley of Grand Island, Brad and Pat Rowley of Grand Island, Jamie Rowley of Elm Creek, Jeremy and Lori Rowley of Kernersville, North Carolina, and Jeff and Ashlee Rowley of Lincoln; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Marlene was preceded in death by her parents, Dominic, Henrietta, and Edwin Kuszak; sister, Karen Kuszak; in-laws, Bernie and Claudine Rowley; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Marcia and Dave Provorse; and several nephews.

Condolences and memories may be shared with Marlene’s family at www.petersfuneralhome. net.

The Sherman County Times | August 27, 2025