Marie Lichtenberg

Marie Lichtenberg went to be with Jesus as the sun came up Oct. 2, 2024. She was surrounded with the love of her three daughters and a blanket of abiding faith in her Lord and Savior. 

Funeral services will take place Saturday, Oct. 5, at 11 a.m. at St. John Lutheran Church in Hanover. Burial will be in St. John Lutheran Church Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 9-10:30 a.m. prior to the service at the church. Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Alta is in charge of the arrangements.

Marie Emma Glienke was born March 14, 1934, into a large family in rural Alta. She was baptized March 29, 1934, and confirmed on March 21st, 1948, into the Lutheran faith; which stayed as a strong guiding light throughout her entire life. 

She met the love of her life, Lyle Lichtenberg, and was married May 9, 1954. They spent over 50 years together before he was called home to be with Jesus in April 2006. During their life together they raised three daughters in the faith and planted seeds in that same faith that God would provide a bountiful harvest on the family farm, which he did year after year. Marie was a very hard worker; quickly learning the ways of running the combine and being an active part of harvest each year. Lyle and Marie later enjoyed many winters together in Mesa, Ariz., where they played golf in the sunshine, had numerous games of cards and enjoyed many cups of coffee with friends on their patio. She continued to visit Arizona after Lyle passed away and found comfort in those friendships they created together many years ago.

Marie had a generous heart and spent time giving in many ways. Be it through the never empty glass cookie jar on the counter, her chocolate cake with white frosting or homemade chicken noodle soup — if she was in the kitchen you wanted to be close by with a spoon in hand! Throughout her church life at St. John Hanover, she and Lyle were very active in LLL events, she also taught Sunday School, participated in Ladies Aid and sang in the church choir. She was always willing to help whenever a need presented itself. She loved hosting bridge with her friends and puzzles could often be found on her card table. Marie was an amazing grandmother and a shining light in all her grandkids’ lives — be it with a front row seat to any of their events or with words of support and wisdom mailed in a card. Family and her faith were at the center of Marie’s life and each of those gave her endless support and comfort until she was called home to be with Jesus. 

Left to carry on her memory are her three daughters: Debra Olson (Rick), Donna Hartmann (Rich) and Denise Hinkeldey (Kenny). Her grandchildren: Steve Botcher (Nicolle), Nicole Johnson (Baker), Megan Hopp (Todd), Shelby Woodstrom (Shane), Kenny Bishop (Caylyn), Jason Hinkeldey (Tianna), Kayla Hoskins (Ryan), Jake Sawyer and Ryan (Kelsey) Sawyer; her great-grandchildren: Everett, Owen and Luke Johnson; Gabriel and Ava Hopp; Rory and Miller Woodstrom; Noah Hoskins; Taylor and Ryker Sawyer; her sister Dorothy Hinkeldey; brother Martin Glienke; brother-in-law Willard Schmidt; sisters-in-law, Delores Glienke and Bev Glienke; along with many nieces, nephews, family and friends. 

There to greet her at the cross with open arms will be her faithful husband Lyle; an infant son; her granddaughter, Amanda Hartmann; sons-in-law, Bruce Botcher and Keith Bishop; her brothers and sisters: Henry, Albert, Esther, Lydia, Alvina, Hermie and Ernie.