Marlen French

Marlen Manchester French, 92, of Allen, NE, died on Thursday, June 6, 2013, at The Oaks Senior Living in Wayne, Nebraska. Funeral services will be held Monday, June 10, 2013, at 2:00 p.m. at Bressler-Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Wakefield, NE; Pastor Willie Bertrand will be officiating. Visitation will be held Sunday, June 9, 2013, from 3:00 until 8:00 P.M. with the family present from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. at the Bressler-Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Wakefield, NE. Burial with military honors will be in Eastview Cemetery in Allen, NE. Memorials are suggested to the Allen Volunteer Fire Department. Bressler-Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home of Wakefield, NE is in charge of arrangements. Marlen was born February 15, 1921 in Manchester, South Dakota, the son of Ray and Lenora (Wolff) French. He attended and graduated from Laurel High School. Marlen married Joyce VandeBrake on October 30, 1952. He enjoyed woodworking and tending his fruit trees in his orchard. He was a jokester with a great sense of humor. Marlen enjoyed spending time with his family and dogs. Marlen was in the Army Air Corps in World War II where he was a bombardier. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Marlen is survived by his wife Joyce, three sons, Gene (Gayle) French of Panama, NE, Randy (Lynne) French of Bellevue, ID, and Duane French of Sioux City, IA; two daughters, Barb Haru of Colorado Springs, CO and Renea French of Wynot, NE, six grandchildren and one great grandchild, and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Azalea Letcher, son Kevin, one brother and one sister.