Marlene Reineke

(From Parker Mortuary)

Marlene Mary Reineke, 72, of Carl Junction, Missouri, passed away on February 13, 2024, following a short illness.

Marlene was born on May 23, 1951, in Junction City, Kansas, to Florence Wright. Marlene completed grade school at Saints Cyril and Methodius in Kansas City, Kansas, before moving to Monett, Missouri, where she graduated from Monett High School in 1969. Marlene went on to attend what is now Missouri Southern State University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Business in 1973.

From beginning to end, Marlene’s life was dedicated to her family. Her love and special bond with her own grandmother, Mary Flaherty, inspired her to always ensure she made her own children and grandchildren feel seen, loved, supported, and special. As a single mother to three kids, Marlene worked tirelessly to provide and ultimately retired from healthcare administration in 2018 after serving orthopedic surgeons for more than 30 years, in addition to serving Neurologists, Neurosurgeons, pain management and sleep medicine doctors all simultaneously in the latter part of her career.

Marlene was preceded in death by her mother, Florence Wright.

Marlene is survived by her three children, Rachael (Andrew) Crofford of Fayetteville, Arkansas, Megan (Christopher) Douglas of Carl Junction, Missouri, and Seth (Sabrina) Reineke of Carl Junction, Missouri, in addition to four grandchildren, Cooper Crofford, Grace Douglas, and Madelyn and Harper Reineke. Scott Helms (Victoria), who she considered a son, also survives in addition to her sister, Arlinda (James) Riggs of Neosho, Missouri, several cousins, nieces, and nephews.


A visitation will be held at Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary on February 16, 2024, at 6 PM and a funeral mass will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church on February 17, 2024, at 10 AM. Funeral services are under the care of Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary.







In honor of the glioblastoma battle our mother so courageously and gracefully fought and her strong desire to advance science and help others diagnosed with this disease, the family sincerely requests, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to Paige, a young mother recently diagnosed with glioblastoma. Paige’s family has been friends with our family for many years, and, if you knew Marlene well, you know she found great joy in helping others. Donations may be made to this link: https://gofund.me/7437c566