Marlene M. Enstad Remembered for Her Family and Garden

Marlene Mary (Steinhorst) Enstad died on April 3, 2026, at Lilac in Lake Mills, Wisconsin. She was 87.

She was born January 8, 1939, in Sauk County, Wisconsin, to Walter and Elsie Steinhorst of North Freedom. She attended Happy Hill Elementary School and graduated from Baraboo High School.

A life shared with family

After high school, Marlene moved to Madison for work and met Berger Enstad. He was serving in the U.S. Army in Madison before his deployment to France. Marlene traveled alone by airplane across the Atlantic to join him on her first flight. They married in France on July 9, 1962.

The couple spent much of their life in Sun Prairie, with time in Florida and at a cottage on Spring Lake. Marlene enjoyed gardening and sitting outdoors in the sunshine.

Survivors include her husband, Berger, and their children, Randy Enstad, Gary (Kathy) Enstad and Cheryl Grimes (Robert Fischer). The notice lists grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Her family includes Korey (Emily) Enstad and their children Jackson, James and Lennon; Kimberly (Eric) Clark and their children Callum and Theo; and Collin (Andressa) Enstad and their children Cole, Ellie and Lily.

Also listed are Seth (Makala) Enstad; Taylor Enstad; Alyssa (Tanner) Kirchberg and their child Avery, with another baby expected; and Justin Grimes.

Marlene was preceded in death by her parents and all her siblings: sisters Delores, Lorna, Eunice and Audrey, and brothers Russell and Ronald.

Memorial service and burial

A memorial service was scheduled for Monday, May 18, 2026, at 11 a.m. at Cress Funeral Service, 1310 Emerald Terrace, Sun Prairie, WI 53590. Visitation was scheduled from 10 to 11 a.m.

Burial was to follow immediately at Sun Prairie Memory Garden on Clarmar Drive. A light lunch was planned afterward at the VFW, 349 South Walker Way, Sun Prairie.

The family thanked Lilac Springs Assisted Living Center and Rainbow Community Care for their care and support.

Cress Funeral Service can be reached at 608-837-9054.