Marlene Scanlon

Mary Marlene (Tritz) Scanlon, 85, of Colorado Springs, CO died peacefully on Thursday, January 18, 2024 at Pikes Peak Hospice and Palliative Care in Colorado Springs surrounded by members of her family. Her independence, strong Catholic faith and altruistic nature impacted so many in such a positive way and her presence will be missed.

Memorial mass will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 18, 2024 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Remsen, with Rev. Timothy Pick officiating and Deacon Doug Heeren assisting. Burial will follow in the St. Mary’s Cemetery in Remsen.  Visitation with the family present will be from 9:30 a.m. until service time Saturday at the church. Arrangements have been entrusted to Fisch Funeral Home & Monument in Remsen, IA. www.fischfh.com 

Marlene was born March 24, 1938 in Remsen, IA; the daughter of Harry and Lucille (Ohlendorf) Tritz. Marlene was raised and educated in the Remsen area and graduated from St. Mary's Catholic High School at Remsen in 1956. She entered nursing school at St. Catherine School of Nursing of St. Paul, MN and graduated as a registered nurse 1959. This was an accomplishment she was very proud of. Her many friendships that started in nursing school were treasured and maintained throughout her life.

On January 2, 1960, Marlene married Daniel Scanlon at the Church of St. Albert in South Minneapolis. Marlene took pride in her ability to seamlessly transition to each new military base as a working mother while raising her 5 children. She appreciated the adventures of learning with her children about each new place she lived across the country before settling in Colorado Springs in 1976. Marlene always enjoyed her regular trips back to Remsen to visit family and friends. Marlene worked as a nurse until her retirement in 2000. Following her retirement, Marlene stayed active traveling, volunteering in her church, the Ronald McDonald House, and Heartbeat, along with keeping up with family and friends. Marlene was a member of Holy Apostles Catholic Church of Colorado Springs but wanted to return to her hometown for her final service at St. Mary's Catholic Church of Remsen to be close to family.

Survivors include her son Mark and his wife Cindy of State College, PA; her son Kevin and her son Bryan of Colorado Springs, CO; her daughter Shannon and husband James Paige of Willis, TX; 5 grandchildren, Stephen and his wife Veronica, Sarah and her husband Patrick McLaughlin, Jason and his wife Karlee, Matthew Paige, Kaileen and her husband Blake O'Hara; 10 great-grandchildren whom she adored; nephews Mike Tritz, Jeff Tritz and his wife Sandi, Frank Tritz Jr. and his wife Kim, Clint Tritz and his wife Heidi; nieces Kathy and her husband Dean Rhodes, Sandy and her husband Mark Rolfes, Tami and her husband Jay Schroeder; and her sister-in-law, Sue Tritz.

She was preceded in death by her parents; 1 son, Patrick Scanlon; 2 brothers, Cyril and Frank Tritz; and her sister-in-law, Nancy Tritz.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to HEARTBEAT, P.O. Box 16985, Colorado Springs, CO 80935 heartbeatsurvivorsaftersuicide.org, an organization that meant so much to Marlene.