Marlene K. McDonnell, 87, a member of Sister’s for Christian Community passed away on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at MercyOne Medical Center in Dubuque, Iowa.

Visitation for Marlene will be held from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 12, 2026, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Garryowen, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Marlene at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Mark Osterhaus presiding.  Burial will be held in St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Garryowen, Iowa.  The Reiff Funeral Home in Cascade, Iowa is assisting the family with arrangements.

Marlene was born January 6m 1939 in Dubuque, Iowa, daughter of Ambrose and Florence (Lambe) McDonnell.  She attended a one-room country school for her first eight years of education.  She graduated from St. Columbkille’s High School, Dubuque.  Marlene graduated from Clarke College and received her master’s in science biology from St. Mary’s University, Winona, MN.  In 1956 Marlene entered the Presentation Sisters in Dubuque.  She was part of the Presentation community for 20 years.  During that time Marlene taught at: Newman High School in Mason City, IA; Wahlert High School, Dubuque, Iowa; St. John’s School of Religion, New Hampton, Iowa.  Marlene left teaching and became involved in parish ministry-serving in Waterloo/Evansdale, Iowa as part of a team ministry.

In 1976 Marlene transferred to the Sister’s for Christian Community.  She continued as a pastoral minister serving at St. Mark’s Church in Iwa Falls, IA and St. Alphonse Parish, Mt. Pleasant, IA.  In 1993 Marlene came to Cascade to serve St. Matthias Parish and finally the St. Thomas Aquinas Cluster.

Marlene is survived by brothers and sisters-in-laws: Donald (Sharon) McDonnell of Dubuque, Lynn McDonnell of Bernard, Margie McDonnell of Dubuque; nieces and nephews, Diann (John) Buss, Nancy (Pat) Rehm, Gary (Amy) McDonnell, Kevin (Jill) McDonnell, Mark (Deb) McDonnell, Amanda  (Eric) Davison and Heather (Jim) Saul; great nieces and nephews, cousins and many treasured friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents; and two brothers, Daniel McDonnell and David McDonnell.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be donated to the charity of your choice or to St. Patrick’s Parish in Garryowen, Bernard, Iowa.

Thanks to the staff at Grand Meadows, Dubuque House, Dr. Whalen and the staff of Tri-State Dialysis, the MercyOne emergency room staff, especially Jenni, for all the compassionate care given to Marlene.  True to her generous nature, Marlene gave until the very end.  In her final act of kindness, she donated her tissue so that others might heal.