Marlene Lodge

Marlene Diane Lodge (nee Baumann) (76, of Saint Ignatius, Montana) left her Earthly house for her Heavenly home on Wednesday, December 3rd, 2025 after facing dementia with grace, patience, and courage.

Marlene was born in Portland, Oregon, on July 28th, 1949.  From the hospital, she was adopted, taken home, and showered with love by Bill and Marguerite Baumann.  She felt that author Beverly Cleary did a good job of describing the experience of growing up in Portland, and Eugene during the 1950’s in her classic stories of “Beezus and Romana”.  During her childhood, she attended many schools including one in Pheonix, Arizona, where she often found herself in the role of the “new kid.”  From an early age, she had a passion for animals, especially horses, and treasured fond memories of visiting her relatives’ ranches in eastern Oregon, and Montana.  Her mother encouraged her to become accomplished by singing, mastering the organ, and tap dancing, among other things.

In 1966, the Baumanns moved to Missoula, in Bill’s home state of Montana.  Marlene lived in western Montana from that time on.  Through church she met Paul Lodge, the man she would share the rest of her life with.  While Paul went to Hellgate, Marlene attended Sentinel High School her senior year, and was co-valedictorian.  Marlene was always a good student, receiving many academic awards in a number of fields, especially speech and drama.  And despite her reserved, humble nature she was even 1st runner up in the Junior Miss Competition.  She attended the University of Montana on scholarship and graduated with two bachelor’s degrees, her teaching license, and a master’s with honors.  She accomplished these things while bookkeeping at Leon’s tire store.  Marlene had a talent for languages.  She studied Spanish, Russian, and Latin, and later learned other Romance languages, and even a little Japanese.    

Paul and Marlene were married on July 31st, 1971 at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Missoula.  For their honeymoon they drove Paul’s Mustang to San Francisco.  After graduation they accepted teaching positions in Victor, Montana, Marlene as a Spanish teacher.  Paul’s military service sometimes necessitated stays in El Paso, Texas, and Marlene made the most of her proximity to a Spanish speaking country.  Marlene gave birth to her first child, a daughter, Paula, in 1974, and the same year the young family moved to Alberton, Montana.  A son, Ryan, followed in 1977.  Marlene was a gentle, patient, and loving mother who would thoughtfully discuss any worry.  Her children got along with each other… well… great once they grew up.  Marlene read to her children, passing on her love of learning.  She and Paul also raised their children with a Christian worldview, and taught them Biblical values to base their lives upon.    

Paul and Marlene took a “DIY” approach to building their family home and raising their children.  They built a fine house by hand from trees they cut from their own property.  Marlene sewed Christmas gifts, daily clothes, and prom dresses.  She enjoyed cross-stitching.  She grew vegetables, milked goats, and raised rabbits. Paul contributed wild game, and fish so for many meals, the only store-bought items might be salad dressing, or salt.  Marlene was a faithful Christian.  She was very active in Alberton Community Church.  She played the organ weekly, directed choir cantatas, helped with VBS, and AWANA, led Sunday school classes, participated in bible studies, and participated in many other acts of service, and fellowship with that congregation.  Although she prioritized her family, Marlene continued to work, substitute teaching and directing school plays, and organizing gifted and talented groups.  She helped make ends meet by bookkeeping for Stenerson Construction, and as a Spanish Consultant for a telework firm.  She preferred her time at a number of teaching jobs in Missoula, including years at the University of Montana.

After growing up an only child, in her fifties, Marlene was connected with a long-lost half-brother, Montgomery Baumann, and built a strong sibling bond that was important to both of them.  She was also close with her three sisters-in-law, and appreciated her step-siblings.

In 1995 Marlene started working at Saint Ignatius High School.  She cared deeply for her students, and treated them to fried ice cream, and churros.  She felt very at home in the school and this community.  At Mission Marlene revived an activity she had done previously.  Marlene became known for organizing trips to foreign countries for her Spanish club students to places including Mexico, Costa Rica, and Spain, and for her fundraising efforts on the students’ behalf.   For a couple years before retiring in 2015, she split her day between Arlee and Mission so both schools could offer foreign languages.  She loved encountering ex-students, and colleagues.  Appropriately, on her final day on Earth she was attended by two of her former students.

Throughout her life Marlene enjoyed some solitary activities, such as gardening for vegetables and flowers, keeping pets, reading, and doing puzzles.  However, she also loved to be involved in the community, helping to direct rather large plays, and attending the First Christian Church.   Paul and Marlene also were able to travel by themselves, going to places such as Israel, Hawaii, Japan, the Bahamas, Chicago, and Washington D.C.  Recently, many local people might recognize Marlene, as the sweet-hearted lady with the cute little dog.  In the last stage of her life, many members of this community showed kindness to Marlene.  The family would like to thank everyone, longtime friends, and near strangers, who exchanged a smile with Marlene, or patiently shared time with her.

Marlene was preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Marguerite Baumann, step-mother, Irene Baumann, her in-laws, James and Cleora Lodge, as well as by her brother, Montgomery Baumann, and his wife, Carol, and many other family members and dear friends. 

Marlene is survived by her husband of 54 years, Paul Lodge, as well as other family members including, Bea Stockwell, Nancy Herman, Bernie Molen, Paula Lodge, Ryan Lodge, Carolyn and Robert Hunt, Charlotte and Douglas Deckert, Sharon Lodge, Robert Smaus, Laura and Joseph Biggerstaff, Sharon Hunt, Crystal Henning, Tiana Henning, Rose Lodge, Timothy Lodge, Janet and Larry Moritz, Joshua and Samantha Lodge, Victor “Max” Lodge, Kenton and Laura Lodge, Zachary and Kelly Lodge, and Henry Lodge.
Vaya con Dios, Marlene!

On the evening of Friday, December 19th at Foster Funeral Home and Crematory there will be a time of visitation for those who wish to have a viewing, to say their farewells, or to pray.  A service will be held to honor, remember, and celebrate her life, as well as to grieve her passing at the First Christian Church of St. Ignatius on December 20th, at noon, followed by refreshments, and a time for fellowship.    

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Marlene Lodge, please visit our floral store.