
Marlene Ruth Buck, age 91 of Alexandria, formerly Tracy, passed away on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at Grand Arbor Senior Living Center in Alexandria. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, August 9, 2025, at Tracy Lutheran Church in Tracy. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at church on Saturday. Interment will be in the Tracy City Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to the City of Tracy Community Center Project Fund (338 Morgan St, Tracy, MN 56175), or the East Moe Cemetery Association (PO Box 124 Garfield, MN 56332). Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice. com. Stephens Funeral Service – Tracy Area Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Marlene was born on February 16, 1934, to Martin and Ruth (Gilbertson) Thompson, in Moe Township, Douglas County, Minnesota. Marlene was baptized on April 11, 1934 and later confirmed on October 24, 1948; both at East Moe Lutheran Church. She grew up on the family farm between Garfield and Brandon, MN, and graduated with the Alexandria Jefferson High School, class of 1952. She cherished her days growing up on “The Farm” and her days being part of East Moe Lutheran Church.
After graduating from high school, Marlene traveled throughout the country with friends and held several different jobs, in various Minnesota communities, always returning to the Alexandria area. On one of the return trips, she met the love of her life, Alloyd (Al) Buck at the Lakeside Ballroom. Marlene and Al were married on July 27, 1963. They settled in Tracy, where Al was a high school teacher. Both Al and Marlene always said, “they were only going to live in Tracy for one year.” For Marlene, that one year turned into over 45 years.
Marlene and Al were blessed with three children while living in Tracy. When Marlene first came to Tracy, she was hired to be the first catalog manager for JC Penney Company store, working there until the store closed. Upon the closure of JC Penney’s, Marlene and Al opened the Four Seasons department store in April 1983. They later opened another store in Olivia, MN. Upon Al’s passing in 1994, Marlene downsized the Tracy store and continued to operate it until 2011. The store provided an important service to Tracy, and the surrounding area. Marlene was very active in the community of Tracy, including being a member of the Charter Commission, Library Board, Cemetery Board, Hospital Axillary, Business Partnership Board, serving as an election judge, member of the local Kiwanis organization, and a member of the Chamber of Commerce.
She was very committed to her faith in the Lord and was a long-time member of Tracy Lutheran Church, where she was a Sunday School teacher and served on many church committees. In 2011, Marlene moved to Alexandria to be closer to family and friends but always talked so fondly of Tracy. She most enjoyed spending time with her family and cherished the time she spent with her grandchildren. Watching Marlene contend with memory loss was one of the hardest journeys her family faced, yet through it all they witnessed moments of light, love, grace, and connection that still shines brightly in their hearts.
Marlene is survived by her children: LeAnn (Brian Watson) Buck of Welch, Marsha (William) Goff of Northfield & John (Kaye) Buck of Alexandria; grandchildren: Emma, Paul, Jacob & Madilynn; sister in-law Ruth Thompson; lifelong friend Audrey Schuhmacher; and many nieces & nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Al in 1994, and brothers Erwin and Jim.
In loving memory of a life well-lived, forever in our hearts. Blessed be her memory.