Marlene (Gotto) Gengler Obituary

Marlene Gengler, 81, of Le Mars, Iowa, died on July 24, 2025, at Unity Point – St. Luke’s surrounded by her family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 28, 2025, at All Saints Catholic Parish – St. James Church in Le Mars. Father Doug Klein will celebrate Mass. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Le Mars, Iowa. Visitation with the family present will be from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 27, 2025, at Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Le Mars. There will be a Parish Rosary at 1:45 p.m. and a Scriptural Prayer Service at 5:00 p.m. Visitation will resume from 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. on Monday at the church. Expressions of sympathy can be extended to the family through www.rexwinkelfh.com. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to All Saints Parish or Gehlen Catholic School.

Marlene Rae Gengler, the daughter of Ben and Loretta (McDermott) Gotto, was born on September 5, 1943, in Le Mars, Iowa.  

Marlene and Michael (Mike) Gengler, the love of her life, were joined in marriage on September 24, 1960, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Struble, Iowa. 

Marlene's devotion to her family was remarkable as she balanced being a loving wife and dedicated stay-at-home mom while working as a bookkeeper for Le Mars Body Shop. Her commitment to the family business was evident as she co-owned and operated the Le Mars Body Shop alongside Mike, and worked alongside her sons, Paul and Richard, for 50 years.

Marlene was a devoted member of All Saints Catholic Parish in Le Mars and cherished her faith throughout her life. She had many hobbies that she enjoyed over the years, such as camping, playing bingo and cards, vacationing with friends, and going to the casino with her sisters. Her love for the Green Bay Packers led to many enjoyable moments watching the games with Mike. However, her greatest joy in life was her family, particularly her grandchildren. She took immense pride in watching them participate in all their activities and events and was their biggest cheerleader. Marlene will be deeply missed, but her memories will live on forever in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.  

Survivors include a son, Richard (Annabelle) Gengler of Le Mars, IA; a daughter, Teresa (Scott) Held of Hinton, IA; a daughter, Lisa (Steve) Schnepf of Le Mars, IA; a daughter in law, Denise Gengler of Le Mars; her grandchildren: Sarah Gengler (Shahryar Naqvi), Erica Gengler, Austin (Kara) Gengler, Zachary (Simone) Gengler, Jacob Gengler, Adam (Dawn) Stanley, Justin (Amanda) Held, Jamie Held, Alison (Colby) Snyder, Mackenzie Schnepf (Alex Campbell), and Rylee Schnepf (Xavier Galles); 12 great grandchildren; her sisters; Jo Ellen Mullally of Storm Lake, IA, Patty (Tom) Mullally of Le Mars, IA, and Vicki (Jeff) Lamp of Le Mars, IA; her brother-in-law; Bill Gengler of Le Mars, IA; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her mother-in-law and father-in-law John “Jack” and Florence Gengler; husband Mike Gengler, son, Deacon Paul Gengler; a granddaughter in infancy, Elsa Gengler; a grandson, Michael Gengler; sisters; Karen (Bob) Hagar, Donna (Charles) Hoffman, Linda Hemmelrick, and brother Lawrence “Buzz” Gotto; sisters-in-law; Margaret (Wayne) Rassel; Patsy Gengler, brothers-in-law; Jack (Shirley) Gengler, and Larry Mullally.