Marlene Margaret Cottle

Oct 26, 1934 -

Oct 11, 2025

Marlene Margaret (Jensen) Cottle died peacefully at home on October 11, 2025, surrounded by family.

Marlene was born in Littlefork, Minnesota on October 26, 1934, to Henry and Edna Jensen. When she was six months old, her parents moved the family to Alaska as part of the Matanuska Colony. She attended school in Wasilla and married Benjamin (Benny) Cottle in 1952 at St. Michaels' Church in Palmer. They were married 71 years before his death in 2023.

They bought 110 acres in Wasilla and built a small home out of stacked railroad ties where they lived with their three children, eventually building a larger home on the property. Marlene did many jobs over the years while raising their 3 children, including delivering mail and coal, managing a gumball route with her mother in Anchorage and finally running a bed and breakfast out of her mother's house next door. She also helped her husband Benny run Cottle's Fuel and Trucking for many years. Marlene would often load up the kids to go visit Benny on his out-of-town jobs. She loved to go camping in their motorhome and enjoyed travelling all over the state and country. Marlene was an avid gardener and loved her greenhouse. She grew so many wonderful flowers and vegetables. She was involved in canning and preserving until her death. She was an active member of the Valley Garden Club for many years.

Marlene was preceded in death by her husband, Benny and her son, Bert Cottle. She is survived by her children Janet Stannard (Bill), Henry Cottle (Claudia), daughter in law Cathy Cottle; grandchildren Jennie Weber (Ray), Billy Stannard (Erika), Derek Cottle (Rachael), Vincent Cottle, Kelsey Graber (Eli), Benjaman Cottle; great grandchildren Adam, Andrew, James, Ellis, Gatlin, Opal, Harper and Elouise.

There will be a Service and Reception at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Wasilla on Bogard Road, October 25th starting at 11:00 a.m., with lunch following.

Donation ideas: MyHouse, Catholic Church and Kids Kupboard