Marlene Francis Hergenreter, 77, longtime area resident, died Sunday, January 3, 2010, at the East Morgan County Hospital in Brush. She was born August 3, 1932 in Peetz, Colorado to Hilary and Inez (Ripp) Schilz. Marlene married Casper F. Hergenreter Sr. on January 27, 1951 in Sterling, Colorado. She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Brush and had a strong faith in God. Marlene loved her children and grandchildren and they were very important to her. She enjoyed working in her garden, especially with her roses. She also enjoyed cake decorating, bird watching, canning, cooking and baking. In her earlier years she was a leader of the Busy Beaver's 4-H Club in Sterling and was a leader of the Morgan Wrangler's 4-H Club in Ft. Morgan. Survivors include her husband, Casper Sr. of Brush; three daughters, Janet Monroe and husband, Jeff, of Ft. Morgan, Cindy Musser and husband, Tim, of Weldona and Lisa Hergenreter of Brush; two sons, Casper Hergenreter Jr. and wife, Debra, of Hillrose and Rodney Hergenreter of Hillrose; three brothers, Arlin Schilz of Farmington, New Mexico, Darrell Schilz of Alliance, Nebraska and Gordon Schilz of Ft. Morgan; two sisters, Audrey Sterkel of Sidney, Nebraska and Diane Hoff of Loveland, Colorado; seven grandchildren, Shelly Griffith, Joel Hergenreter, Jennifer Monroe, Jessica Monroe, Jeraco Musser, Ryan Teter and Layne Hergenreter and nine great grandchildren. Marlene was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Norma Pittington and Marian Sewald; and four brothers, Robert, Alan, Roland and Gary Schilz. A Rosary Vigil will be held Thursday, January 7, 2010 at 7:00 PM at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Brush. A Service of Celebration in honor of her life will be held Friday, January 8, 2010, at 10:00 AM at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Brush. Inurnment will follow in the Hibiscus Columbarium at the Brush Memorial Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be given in Marlene's name to St. Mary's Catholic Church in Brush.