Marlene M. Zacek

Marlene Eickholt Johnson Zacek, 85, passed away Sunday, July 28, 2024, at Westwood Nursing Home. 

A Memorial Mass will be held Friday, August 9, 2024, at 10:30am at Mater Dei Parish, Church of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, 4242 Natalia Way, with a visitation taking place one hour prior. Her final resting place will be at Calvary Cemetery.

Marlene was born on March 19, 1939, in Correctionville, Iowa, to Anton “Tony” and Ida (Dandurand) Eickholt. She attended Cooper elementary School, Immaculate Conception Junior High School, and graduated from Heelan High School in 1958. Marlene married Lenard L. Johnson in May of 1960, to which two sons were born: Brian and Bruce. They later divorced. She later married Donald E. Zacek on December 19, 1969. 

Marlene was employed at Sioux City Magazine as WantAd manager, St. Luke’s Hospital as a unit secretary, and American Home Health. She also worked at the U.S. Attorney’s office as a receptionist, MidStep Services as an aid, and ran an in-home childcare business with her husband, caring for many children. 

Marlene loved to cook, watch TV, read, and always decorated her front porch to match the season. She was a die-hard animal lover, especially German Shepherds and Siamese cats. She enjoyed spending time with her family and children. She had a good sense of humor and a big heart. 

Marlene is survived by her son, Bruce (Tracey) Johnson of Sergeant Bluff; a stepson, Darryl Colwell of Colorado Springs; sister, Kathleen Wacheldorf of Sioux City; sisters-in-law, Valerie Eickholt of Des Moines and Barbara Eickholt of Shakopee, Minnesota; grandchildren, Joshua (Kennedy) Johnson, Jenna (Matt) Boon, Cheyenne Johnson, Ashley Johnson-Ruble, and Gabrille, Evan and Wyatt Colwell; several great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her grandparents and parents; her son, Brian Keith Johnson; ex-husband, Lenard Johnson; husband, Don Zacek; brothers, Roland, Donald and Richard Eickholt; sister, Margaret Lundblad; sisters-in-law, Elizabeth and Lola; brothers-in-law, Glen Lundblad and Robert Wacheldorf; and granddaughter, Courtney Johnson-Curl.