Marlene Cotton, 84, Rochester

Marlene Mavis "Mike" (Weatherly) Cotten, 84, Rochester, died Oct. 5, 2019 surrounded by family at St. Mary’s Hospital after a three-week battle with pneumonia.
Marlene was born in Dodge Center, Jan. 22, 1935 to Delbert and Vera (Hutton) Weatherly. She married Richard "Dick" Cotten of Mantorville on Dec. 15, 1951. They were married for 57 years until his death in 2009. They moved to Rochester to work and raise their family. Marlene worked as a waitress at Michaels Restaurant in Rochester for over 30 years.
She loved to travel, especially trips to Arizona in the winter with her sister, Sandy, and brother-in-law, Larry. Marlene had a passion for reading. She also loved gardening, her weekly Redhat lady luncheons, and spending time with her family, friends, and pets. She was proud of earning her GED in 1975 after dropping out of high school to raise her four siblings.
Marlene is survived by her children: Debra (Terry) Lukes of Humansville, Mo., Durk (Tary) Cotten of Byron, Roger (Lorie) Cotten of Rochester, and Kristi (Dennie) Himle of Claremont; nine grandsons; 14 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandsons; siblings, Marcy Guillen of Richmond, Va., Sandra (Larry) Brooks of Byron, and Lavern (Nancy) Weatherly of Byron; her Cotten brothers and sisters-in-law; many nieces, nephews, and cousins; and great friend, John Schmidt of Rochester.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Richard; and sister, Eileen (Keith) Anderson.
Marlene's family would like to extend a special thank you to Mary Brigh 6B nurses, doctors, and staff for the excellent care she received.
The funeral service will be Saturday, Oct. 12, at 12 p.m. in River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home in Rochester. Visitation will be 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Interment will be at Grandview Memorial Gardens.
Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com.