Marlene Fay Hobbs Buttke, 72, of Statesville, N.C., died Sunday, March 19, 2023, at the Gordon Hospice House. She was born on March 31, 1950, in Jackson County, Wis., to the late Earl Hobbs and Birdine Olson Hobbs.

Marlene was a people person, had a compassionate heart of gold, and loved everyone. She was the president of the Fairgrounds in Lenoir and started the Junior Fair in Lenoir also. She won many awards with animals at the fair. She also worked with Jim Andrews, catering for many benefits. She loved working in her flower gardens and building koi ponds and waterfalls to beautify her property.

Those left to cherish her memory include her husband of 54 years, Harold Eugene Buttke; a daughter, Kimberly Ross; two grandchildren, Allen Jewel and Adam Ross; a brother, Donald Hobbs; caregiver, Mary Helton; and best friend and caregiver, Barbara Irwin. She was preceded in death by her most special fur baby, a boxer named Bob.

Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, March 28, 2023, at 12 noon at Jensen-Modjeski Funeral Home in Hixton, Wis. Burial will follow at East Lawn Cemetery in Alma Center, Wis. The family will visit with friends from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon prior to the service.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105.

Nicholson Funeral Home in Statesville, N.C., and Jensen-Modjeski Funeral Home in Hixton, Wis., are honored to serve the Buttke family.