Marlene F. (Bradshaw) Byrne, of Prior Lake (formerly of South Minneapolis), passed away on Saturday, October 28, 2023 at the age of 84.
A gathering of family and friends will be held at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation (4565 Pleasant St. SE) in Prior Lake on Monday, November 6, 2023 from 10:00 – 11:30 AM with closing words at 11:30 AM. Marlene will be laid to rest at Borgholm Cemetery in Bock, MN, and Jim Sanborn, Will Shand, Amanda Prestegard, John Sanborn, Bradley Sanborn and Erica Sanborn will act as pallbearers.
On December 12, 1939, in Bock, MN, Marlene Freda Bradshaw was born to parents, Mark and Hilma (Lofgren) Bradshaw. She was the first of six children to be raised in South Minneapolis and attended South High School.
On October 29, 1960, Marlene exchanged wedding vows with Hugh Byrne in Minneapolis, MN. Their union was blessed with many happy years. Marlene passed away just one day before their 63 rd anniversary. Over the years, Marlene and Hugh enjoyed camping, attending parades, and spending time with family and friends. Marlene especially loved being with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In her free time, Marlene spent countless hours watching all of her favorite shows on the Game Show Network.
One of Marlene’s first job was waitressing at a Chinese restaurant in south Minneapolis before becoming a stay-at-home mom for her two daughters, Julie and June. As they grew, she took on a part time job at Dairy Queen and eventually Cedar Lake Floral, as well as providing daycare for her grandchildren.
In 2003, Hugh and Marlene moved to Lakefront Plaza in Prior Lake. Marlene made many friends there while publishing the association’s monthly newsletter.
After Hugh’s death in 2019, Marlene moved into New Perspectives Assisted Living complex in Prior Lake, eventually transitioning to the Memory Care Unit during the Covid Pandemic. Staff consistently remarked on what a sweet personality Marlene had, and she remained close to their hearts until her peaceful passing.
A sweet and kindhearted woman, Marlene will be forever missed by her daughters, Julie (Jim) Sanborn and June (Will Shand) Byrne; grandchildren, Amanda (Tom) Prestegard, John (Jen) Sanborn, Bradley (Rosie Rice) Sanborn and Erica (Nate Loranger) Sanborn; 9 great-grandchildren; siblings, Mark (Georgia) Bradshaw, Carol Erickson, Jack Bradshaw; brother-in-law, Darwin Olson; other loving relatives and many dear friends.
Marlene is preceded in death by her husband, Hugh M. Byrne; parents, Mark & Hilma Bradshaw; sister, Sharon Olson; brother, Archie (Duff) Bradshaw; sister-in-law, Charlene Bradshaw.
