Marlene Marie Moats Neher, 91, passed away on June 12, 2026 in McPherson, Kansas. Hers was a life well-lived.

Marlene was born to Edgar and Marie Smith Moats of Eldora, Iowa on September 10, 1934. She was the oldest child with three brothers: Dean, Marvin, and Vernon Moats. Marlene grew up helping tend to the home and her younger brothers, and she learned the art of making much out of almost nothing from her mother. These ways of being became the heart of her life’s ministry.

Marlene attended a one room schoolhouse in rural Iowa and later graduated from high school in Conrad, Iowa. She earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from McPherson College in Kansas. It was there, she met and fell in love with Lyle Neher from Oswego, Kansas, and they married on December 26, 1956. Their friendship and love began and remained rooted in a desire to make Christ’s peace real through service to the church and neighbor.

Marlene and Lyle became the parents to three children: Paul, Marie, and Joelle. After a few moves in their early marriage, they raised their family on the farm outside of Grundy Center, Iowa. Marlene was a steadfast and joyful mother, remembered for patience, frugality and exceptional creativity with arts like sewing and baking, lovingly packing field lunches and preparing for camping trips with care beyond measure. She enjoyed baking and cooking, especially for others. Her love of music was fulfilled by singing in a trio with close friends for many years.

Marlene believed deeply in the power and importance of education and in the loving care of all children. She and Lyle served as foster parents for years, and Marlene also taught special education and several grades of elementary school – with kindergarten being her favorite.

Following her teaching years, she was trained as a Church of the Brethren Children’s Disaster Services (CDS) provider and traveled to sites of natural disasters to care for children while their parents sought resources. She also became a trainer of others to expand the work of CDS.

Later in life, Marlene studied at Bethany Seminary and became ordained at the age of 60. She served as a pastor at Ivester Church of the Brethren for 10 years. Marlene also held a term on the Church of the Brethren general board and was a board member and moderator for the Northern Plains District. She also served on the McPherson College Board of Trustees.

Marlene was passionate about genealogy, church and family history. She wrote a detailed autobiography of her childhood as well as biographies of her parents, in-laws, grandparents, Lyle, and a complete history of the Ivester Church of the Brethren. She kept genealogical records on both sides of the family and served as a resource for all questions about family records.

Over the years, Marlene collected over 400 nativities from 150 countries, made from various natural materials. Sharing her collection with others became her retirement ministry; her way to shine light on why we celebrate Christmas. No matter what she created, who she was caring for, or where she was serving, Marlene's energy was always directed toward making God's love seen and known.

In her passing, Marlene wanted to express her gratitude to all the strangers who donated blood for the many transfusions she received in the last couple of years as she battled a blood disease. Thank you for sharing life!

Marlene is survived by her husband Lyle of 69 1/2 years, her 3 children; Paul (Ronda) Neher, Marie (Tom) Neher, Joelle (Bruce) Appel, 12 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

A come-and-go remembrance will be held at the Cedars Event Center in McPherson, Kansas on Saturday, July 18 from 3-5 pm with story sharing at 4 pm.

A memorial service will be held at the Ivester Church of the Brethren, Grundy Center, Iowa on Saturday, September 5 at 11 am.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be designated to New Community Project’s: Give a Girl a Chance or the Ivester Church of the Brethren.

New Community Project, 117 Nature Road, Blue Ridge, VA 24064

Ivester Church of the Brethren, 25056 E Ave, Grundy Center, IA 50638

Baker Funeral Home Valley Center - Condolences may be left for the family at www.bakerfhvc.com