Marlene E. Ham, 84, of Edgeley, ND passed away on Tuesday, March 3, 2020 at Eventide, Fargo, ND. She was born July 22,1935 to Everett and Luella (Mueller) Barnick in Jamestown, ND. Marlene grew up on a farm outside of Millarton, ND and went to school there. She attended Jamestown High School for her senior year and graduated in 1953.
Marlene went to work at James Valley Electric in Edgeley after her graduation. There, she met and married Edgar “Jerry” Ham on March 20, 1960 at Transfiguration Catholic Church in Edgeley. Through this union, they were blessed with two daughters; Cynthia and Kathleen. When her daughters began school, she became a teller/cashier at Security National Bank. She worked there for 37 ½ years. In retirement, she worked at the Manor of St. Joseph and the Edgeley Senior Center. Marlene also loved spending time cashiering for Bedker Auction Service.
Marlene spent many hours being an active member of the community. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Edgeley Centennial and 125th Celebration, Thrivent, Mt. Hope Cemetery Board, VFW Woman’s Auxiliary, and prompter for many community and church plays. She participated in a few mission trips, one was to Florida for hurricane clean-up and another to the Rose Bowl Parade as a “petal pusher” (float decorator).
She was known for her cookie baking and candy making. Marlene would make each grandson their favorite cookie for the holidays. She loved to bowl, read, spend time with her flowers, and gardens; and cheering for the Minnesota Twins. Her favorite times were when she was surrounded by her family and their wild “May I” games.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Jerry, her parents; Everett and Luella Barnick, and brother, Otto Barnick.
Marlene is survived by her daughters; Cindy (Tim) Bernstein, Kathy (Ken) Breden, five grandsons; Tyler Aberle, Nick (Megan) Breden, Ben Breden, Thomas Bernstein, Andrew Bernstein, great grandbaby-to-be Breden, along with numerous brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank Pastor Eppen for his visits, Deanna from Comfort Keepers, Ethos Hospice and Eventide of Fargo for helping them navigate this journey.
Funeral Service: 10:30AM, Saturday, March 7, 2020 at Zion Lutheran Church, Edgeley ND with pastor Patrick O’Brien officiating.
Burial: Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Edgeley, ND.
Williams Funeral Home, Edgeley is in care of the arrangements.