Marlene Jerda (Bengtson) Friberg, 88, passed away on Oct. 16, 2026, in Luck, Wisconsin. Born and raised in Frederic, Wisconsin, Marlene spent much of her life in northern Wisconsin, with an important chapter in California.
Marlene married Dallas Friberg, her high school sweetheart, and together they raised two sons, Darren and Kevin. The family spent several years in California, where Dallas worked as a certified public accountant and both sons were born, before returning to Wisconsin. Later in her career, Marlene worked for Medtronic in the Minneapolis area, coordinating educational and training programs for physicians.
In retirement, Marlene made her home on the 100-acre family property near Siren, Wisconsin, surrounded by the woods and wildlife she loved. She enjoyed spending time outdoors, watching the animals, working on crafts, and, of course, the companionship of her beloved dogs, Boone and Charlie. The property offered the peace and natural surroundings she treasured, while also serving as a cherished gathering place for family and friends.
Marlene loved to travel and was fortunate to explore much of the world, embracing new places, cultures, and experiences along the way. She enjoyed Mediterranean and European cruises with her son Darren, his wife Wendy, and other family members and friends. She traveled to Australia with her sister Joan, niece Wendi, and Wendi’s husband Art, and she even went bell diving on the Great Barrier Reef. Another memorable adventure took her to Alaska with her sisters, Lynda and Joan, where they went whitewater rafting. Whether enjoying a glass of Chianti in Rome, Turkish Ice Cream in Istanbul, a Muffuletta in New Orleans, or simply taking in the scenery, Marlene found joy in discovering new places and sharing those experiences with family and friends.
Marlene was a warm, caring, and gracious person who always tried to bring a little joy and color to the lives of those around her. She loved bringing family and friends together at the 100 acres, preparing special meals, and making ordinary occasions feel like something worth celebrating. She carried herself with a quiet sense of style and class, but it was her kindness, positive spirit, and ability to bring a smile to others that made her truly special. Throughout her life, she faced more than her share of hardship and loss, yet met those challenges with remarkable courage and grace. Even in her final years facing declining health, Marlene never lost her desire to bring a smile to someone’s face. She was loved by those who cared for her at the nursing home, and she returned their affection with kindness and genuine gratitude. Her courage in the face of adversity, her kindness toward others, and her determination to find joy in life will remain an enduring example to those who knew and loved her.
Marlene was preceded in death by her parents, Helen M. and Eldo C. Bengtson; husband, Dallas A. Friberg; son, Kevin Friberg; brother, Larry Bengtson; and sister, Joan Route.
She is survived by her son, Darren (Wendy) Friberg; sister, Lynda (Robert) Wood; brother, Alan Bengtson; and nieces and nephews, Kurt (Cheryl) Bengtson, Wendi Kroll, Tami (Shelby) Holen, and Wylie Wood.
A private memorial was held. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made in Marlene’s memory to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s research, supporting its mission to advance treatments and find a cure for Parkinson’s disease (michaeljfox.org/give).
