Marlene Wilhelmina Charlotte Springmann Recksiek

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Marlene Wilhelmine Charlotte Springmann Recksiek was born on 26 September 1924 in Hannover, Germany.  She was the only child of Hermann Benno Springmann and Annaliese Charlotte Wischow. Her maternal grandmother, Caroline Moerke Wischow, played a significant role in her upbringing. She attended various schools, graduating from the Cecilien Gymnasium in Bielefeld with a “Gut” in her Arbitur. Marlene loved science and originally desired to be a doctor, but trained to become a teacher. In 1944, she was teaching in Poland when the Russian armies became a serious threat. Marlene was able to escape through a harrowing ordeal, but lost many important necessities. Shortly thereafter, she entered a sanatorium for TB. As the Allies advanced, she again needed to escape, traveling 200 miles to her family, taking only what she could carry in a backpack. The war was filled with difficulties, losses, and hunger, yet she felt protected and guided through these experiences.

After the war Marlene could not be a teacher right away, so she decided to go to business school. It was there that she met Heinz Recksiek, a handsome, fellow student and recently returned soldier. With him, she enjoyed many philosophical discussions. Heinz, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was instrumental in her conversion to the gospel of Jesus Christ and he baptized Marlene in December 1946. They were married 16 April 1948 in Bielefeld. During their wedding reception, Marlene was called on a full-time LDS mission. Her new husband was proud that she accepted the call to serve. She left a week later to work in the Frankfurt mission home. In 1950, Heinz, Marlene, and their firstborn, Walter, immigrated to America at great personal sacrifice, but they were filled with courage, hope, and faith in God. Paramount was their desire to be sealed together in the Salt Lake Temple. 

Throughout her life, Marlene was a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  She served faithfully in many callings, including the Stake Primary Presidency, Relief Society President, and many years with her husband as a temple worker in the Jordan River Temple. She also enjoyed several years as a tour hostess of the LDS Church Office Building.  Marlene did extensive family history work and meticulous genealogical research, submitting 8,000 names for temple work.  For a few years, Marlene worked with the lunch staff at East Millcreek Elementary and took in sewing to supplement the household income and support her missionary sons.

Marlene will be remembered for: her testimony of the truth of the Gospel, the Book of Mormon, and the Restoration; her unfailing love and support of her eternal companion and her children; her positive outlook; her wittiness and sense of humor; her gratitude and appreciation for opportunities of service; her willingness to work hard; and her high, beautiful standards of dress and behavior.  Also to be remembered is her love of: sewing and putting together stylish, designer outfits; planning and tending her beautiful gardens; cultivating African violets; being an accomplished German silhouette artist (Scherenschnitte); enjoying her apricot and plum trees; frugality and couponing; animals (cats, bears, and owls), real and stuffed; and her gracious, welcoming hospitality. 

Marlene passed away Sunday, 23 October 2016, peacefully in her home in Salt Lake City, surrounded by her loving family.  She is preceded in death by her sweetheart Heinz, and is survived by her sons: Walter (Deborah), Melvin (Susan), Steven (Bonnie), Norman (Pamela), Thomas (Janet), and one beloved daughter: Charlene (Wayne) Wright. She has 45 grandchildren and over ninety great grandchildren.  Marlene is also survived by a brother, Klaus Springmann, and her sister-in-law, Elfriede Recksiek Doermann. 

Funeral services will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, October 29, 2016 at the East Millcreek 11th Ward, 2702 East Evergreen Ave. (3435 South). Friends may visit with the family on Friday evening from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the Holbrook Mortuary, 3251 South 2300 East, and at the church on Saturday morning from 9:30am to 10:30am prior to services. Interment: Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park. Online memories and tributes can be posted for the family at www.HolbrookMortuary.com