Marlene Faye (Altman) Harder

Marlene Faye (Altman) Harder, 87, of Topeka, Kansas, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 30, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. She was welcomed into her heavenly home, leaving a legacy of faith, hope, and unwavering commitment to family.

Born on December 24, 1938, in Kennedy, Minnesota, to George and Sena Albertina (Kullberg) Altman, Marlene was the second of three children. She cherished her family from an early age. She met the love of her life, Stan Harder, and they shared 68½ years of devoted marriage, having wed on October 26, 1957. The couple made their first home on the Harder family farm in Ottawa County, Kansas.

After learning she could not have biological children, Marlene and Stan embraced adoption and were blessed with two children: Steven Michael Harder and Michelle Suzanne (Harder) Leivan. Marlene loved her children unconditionally, offering them constant devotion, support, and encouragement throughout their lives.

Marlene attended Brown Mackie School of Business in Salina, Kansas, where she studied Secretarial Studies and worked as a secretary for several years. Her greatest joy and true calling, however, was as a homemaker and mother. She found deep meaning in raising her children and creating a warm, welcoming home. She delighted in the fellowship of friends, travel, going to the cinema, reading, and serving her church. After her children were raised, she worked as a home-health advisor, educating new mothers for the Kansas Department of Health and Human Services, a role that perfectly suited her nurturing spirit.

Marlene was preceded in death by her parents and siblings. She is survived by her husband Stan; her children Steven and his spouse Marcy and Michelle and her spouse Chuck; her grandchildren and great-grandchildren; her nieces and nephews; and many other dear family members and friends. It was her hope that they would all be blessed with the grace of God and to be reunited with them all in heaven.

She will be remembered for the warmth she brought into every moment – whether it was in the kitchen, baking and making meals that became a cherished family tradition, or gathered around the table playing games, where laughter was always in abundance. Her home was a place of comfort, filled with love, stories and the simple joy of being together. The memories created in those moments – full of laughter, kindness and unconditional love – will be treasured forever by all who knew her.

Cremation has taken place.  Celebration of Life service yet to be scheduled but will be posted once the place, date and time have been determined.