Marlene Schwartzbauer

Marlene E. Schwartzbauer, 87, Mandan, passed away Friday, March 11, 2022, at St. Gabriel’s Care Center in Bismarck. Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, March 16, 2022, at Christ the King Catholic Church in Mandan with Fr. Fred Harvey celebrating and Fr. Marvin Klemmer con celebrating. Burial will follow at Mandan Union Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 15 from 5-7 PM with Parish Rosary and Vigil at 7 PM at Buehler-Larson Funeral Home in Mandan. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the funeral on Wednesday.

Marlene was born July 18, 1934, to Anton and Cecelia (Froelich) Bender in Mandan. She grew up in Mandan graduating from Mandan High. On October 27, 1956, Marlene married Joseph G. Schwartzbauer at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Mandan. Marlene worked for the Bismarck Tribune and the Mandan Pioneer before staying at home with her children. Later in life she ran a daycare business before retirement.

Marlene’s faith was of upmost importance to her. She was a devoted Catholic, always attending Mass, involved with the Christian Mothers and in the church choir. She loved going for walks and exercising to stay healthy, but she also loved spending time cooking and baking. Christmas was a special time for her family, and she always made sure the plates were full of goodies! One of the highlights of her life was on her 40th wedding anniversary, Joseph and she made a pilgrimage to the Vatican and other Catholic Shrines in Rome with Fr. Blotsky.

She is survived by her daughter, Mary Jo (Rick) Ripplinger, Minot, two sons, Mike (Kathy), Mandan and Tim, Des Moines, IA; five grandchildren, Jenna, and her son Jameson; Michael, Gregory, Zachary and Eric, step-grandchildren, Jenny and her children, Logan and Cadence; Laura (Jordan) and their children, Landon and Duke. She is also survived by her special friend and sister-in-law, Janice Schwartzbauer.

Marlene was preceded in death by her parents, husband Joseph in 1997 and siblings, Ray Bender, Doris Mazigian and Kathleen Heinert.