Marlene Gallup Obituary

Marlene Phyllis was born on April 3, 1935 to Marvin E. Anderson and Pearl Lucille (Alsager) Anderson at Sandwich, Illinois. She died on October 6, 2011 at her home in Exeter, Nebraska following a 14- month battle with cancer. Marlene was 76 years, 6 months, and 3 days old at the time of her death. 

Marlene was baptized at home and confirmed into the Lutheran faith at the Newark Lutheran Church in Newark, Illinois. She attended a small one-room school at Newark, Illinois. She said that she loved playing "Andie I over" at recess. After high school graduation, Marlene started her life-long career as a nurse. She graduated from Copley Memorial School of Nursing in Aurora, Illinois. She worked at many places in Illinois, Kansas, and Nebraska during her career. Locally, she was Director of Nursing at the Exeter Care Center, was an Registered Nurse for the Blue Valley Community Action Women, Infants and Children program in the counties of Seward, Saline, York, and Fillmore. She truly enjoyed being a Tabitha Home Health Nurse for people in counties of Cass, Otoe, Saline, Seward and Fillmore. She said that home health care was a way for her to touch and care for others at a special time for those who could not leave their homes. Many times, she was called to be "grandma Nurse" for her family. A very special patient was her grandson, Trenton, who passed away a few months after his birth. She treasured the moments she spent being his "nurse".

Marlene was united in marriage to Phil Gallup on June 15, 1985. When asked what her favorite things in life were, she stated that it was being with her husband and family. Phil and Marlene enjoyed many activities in their over 25 years of marriage. They enjoyed collecting teapots, their annual trip to Estes Park, camping, watching birds, and finding just the "right" items for their antique booth in different antique malls through the years. Marlene and Phil enjoyed attending all their grandchildren's sporting events and activities; often traveling a far distance to be present.

Marlene was active in her community and Church. She was a member of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cordova, and the Church Women's group-WELCA. In Exeter, she was a past member of the town library. She was a very active member of Exeter's GFWC - General Federation of Woman's Club. Over the years, Marlene held district and local offices with the group. Marlene's special project was called Heavenly Hats. In this project, people losing hair from cancer could obtain hair coverings at no cost. Little did she know at the time, that cancer would also strike her and she also would need hair coverings.


Marlene is survived by husband Phil of Exeter, children - Linda and husband Doug Allen of Louisville, NE, Mark and Wife Kim Nelson of Ceresco, Kristi and husband Jim Horne of Exeter, and Kelly and husband Ben Bristol of Jacksonville, Florida. Grandchildren - Josh and wife Kate Allen, Jackie and husband Jason Heard, Jennie Allen, Spencer and wife Lynne Nelson, Samantha and husband Brett Cermak, James Horne, Mitchel Horne, Madison Horne, Mikayla Bristol, Alexandra Bristol, Lanie Bristol Great-grandchildren - Maddox and Laine Allen, Jacob Heard, Cade Nelson, Baby Cermak, and Baby Heard. brother Roger and wife Jean Anderson of Bristol, Illinois, brother-in-law Wayne and wife Lee Gallup of Minneapolis, MN, and cousins, nieces, nephews, and many friends.

Preceding Marlene in death include parents and grandson - Trenton Horne.

Funeral Services are Monday, 10:30 AM at Trinity Lutheran Church, Cordova, NE. Visitation: Sunday from 2-8 pm with family greeting friends from 5-7 pm at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Cordova. Burial will be at Exeter Cemetery. Memorials designated to Exeter Town Library, American Cancer Society, or Family's Choice

Fusselman-Allen-Harvey Funeral Home in Louisville is in charge of arrangements.