Marlene K. Gunnerson, 84 of Assaria passed away Thursday, October 20, 2022 peacefully with her husband Jerome, daughter Nikole, and son Kyle at her side at Salina Regional Medical Center.  Marlene was born in Salina, KS on October 14, 1938 to Carl and Emma Shuberg.  She graduated from Salina Central High School in 1956, where she met the love of her life and husband of 63 years, Jerome.   Marlene completed course work in Stenography at Brown Mackie College and worked for Great Plains Insurance before going into the future family business, Town and Country TV, with Jerome.  Marlene and Jerome were married in First Methodist Church in Salina in 1959, and recently celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary October 11.  Marlene became a huge sports fan cheering her children and grandchildren all through the age groups, from “little league” to college athletics.  She was a loyal Chiefs and Royals fan, even when that wasn’t popular.

Marlene was famous for her baking, which she enjoyed doing frequently with her mother.  The Christmas season was always upon us when Marlene would bake a wide variety of delicious cookies, candies, and treats for all of her children, grandchildren, and friends.  Marlene also had a magical twinkle in her eye and would always seem to find and encouraging word of support even in some of the most painful times.  Her laugh was infectious and frequent.  She was always a great card player, usually winning all the time at her pinochle nights.  However, in the past several years, she really honed those skills and reached “card shark” status playing various games with her children, grandchildren, or any unsuspecting card player willing to take her on.

Left in mourning her passing is her husband, Jerome, of the home, son Dr. Kyle Gunnerson of Saline, MI, daughter Nikole Zegunis (Gunnerson) and her husband Michael of Lenexa, KS, brother, Ronald Shuberg of Topeka and his wife Marge.   Cousin, Alan Weiser and his wife Marilyn of Arvada, CO, nephew Eric Shuberg, Topeka.  Grandchildren are Zack Zegunis and his wife Riley, Seth Zegunis, and Luke Zegunis of Kansas City metro area and Brigid Gunnerson, Keira Gunnerson, Thomas Gunnerson, and Maeve Gunnerson of Saline, MI.

Church and graveside service will be at Assaria Lutheran Church, 124 W. First Street, Assaria KS 67416 on Tuesday, October 25 at 10:00 am.

Memorials may be made to Sunflower Adult Day Services, 401 W. Iron Ave, Saline, KS  67401, or Friends of Salina Animal Shelter, 329 N 2nd Street, Salina, KS 67401 in memory of Marlene Gunnerson.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Marlene K. (Shuberg) Gunnerson, please visit the floral store.