Carmen Jean (Smith) Marben, age 92, of Tracy, Minnesota, died October 24, 2018, at Ecumen Seasons in Apple Valley, Minnesota.
A Memorial Service will be held 11: 00 AM Saturday, November 3, 2018 at the White Funeral Home, 14560 Pennock Ave., Apple Valley, Minnesota, with a visitation one hour prior to the Service. There will be a private burial at Fort Snelling.
Carmen Jean Marben was born to Clifford and Ann (Backer) Smith in Springfield, Minnesota on August 1st, 1926. She attended Springfield High School graduating in 1944. After graduation she worked at Aldolfson’s Women’s Clothing store as a buyer.
Carmen was united in marriage to Arthur Eugene Marben on September 5, 1950 in Springfield, Minnesota. Weeks after their marriage, Art was recalled to active duty in the United States Marine Corps. They made their home in Fredericksburg, Virginia while Art was stationed at the Marine Corps Base in Quantico. In 1952, after Art’s discharge from active duty, they moved to Grand Forks, North Dakota where Art attended graduate school.
In 1953, Carmen and Art moved to Tracy, Minnesota and made that community their home. After raising their three children, Carmen worked at John’s Drug in Tracy for many years. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church. She was also a longstanding member of the Lyon County Welfare board. In 2011, she and Art moved to Apple Valley, Minnesota.
Carmen will be remembered as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She loved people and had a wonderful sense of humor. She put the needs of others first and rarely had a harsh word for anyone.
Carmen is survived by three children, Kurt (Brenda) Marben of Thief River Falls, Minnesota, Brenda (Tim) Barry of Tucson, Arizona, and Michael (Karen) Marben of Lakeville, Minnesota; 8 grandchildren John (Cathy) Marben, Ann Marben, Beth (Tanner) Anderson, Katherine Wolpa, Courtney (Dan) Freiberger, Sean Marben; Michael (Laurie) Adamson and Stefan Adamson; 5 great-grandchildren Jaida, Rowan, Bodi, Sawyer and Autumn; sister Shirley Cowell of Hastings, Minnesota
Carmen was preceded in death by her loving husband of 67 years, Arthur; her parents; her brother Melvin Mertz and her sister Delores Potter.
White Funeral Home of Apple Valley handled the Funeral Arrangements. www.whitefuneralhomes.com