Minneapolis, MN - Marlene Joy Brown was born in Luverne, MN on June 20, 1931, and raised in Mason City, IA. She attended Cornell College in Iowa, where she met her husband and best friend of 70 years, Ronald H. Nauman. In 1962 Ron and Marlene moved to Edina, MN, and put down roots at Lake Harriet UMC, where they met lifelong friends. Marlene loved traveling and meeting people, being with friends and the wider community, and watching the birds and other wildlife at their home in Lutsen, MN. She had a big, kind heart, plenty of opinions, and an entertainingly sharp wit. She was a great cook, and an avid reader, and an inveterate knitter and crossword puzzler.

Marlene is preceded in death by Ron, and survived by four children (Deborah (Jeff), Susan (Kurt), Bradley (Trish), Sally (David)), 12 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren. Funeral on May 9 at Lake Harriet United Methodist Church. Visitation at noon; Service at 12:30pm. Reception to follow. Burial at 3pm at Lakewood Cemetery. Memorials to the Humane Society or The Nature Conservancy.