Marlene was born October 13, 1940, in Mansfield, Ohio. She was the daughter of Charles E. Baer and Martha Marie (Robinson) Baer, who proceeded her in death. She graduated from Mansfield Senior High school in 1958 and on September 19, 1964, she married Robert D. Tennant DDS, who preceded her in death. They were married 57 years.
She is survived by her children and spouses: son, Phillip (Sonja) Tennant and daughter Joy Lynn (Mark) Sieving; as well as five grandchildren: Mark, Heidi, Hilda, Malachi and Haley.
Over the years she has had many dogs (all small breeds.) But she had a special liking to Boston Terriers. She had one as little girl, named Dotty and leaves behind her pet Boston: Mindy.
During High School she started work at a department store here in Mansfield: Maxwell’s department store. After graduation she moved to Reed’s department store and thereafter went into dental assisting, for Dr. Barbone. In 1964 she moved to Chicago, Illinois with her husband while he completed his residency at the University of Chicago-Illinois, where she worked for a dentist and then the Hyde Park Herald. A year later they returned to Mansfield and soon after, bought the family home in which she lived the rest of her life.
Baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1958 at an International Convention in New York City that was held in both Yankee Stadium and the Polo Grounds. She was a long-time member of the Mansfield South Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. She was rarely missing from the congregation’s meetings and participated at least twice weekly in their house-to-house ministry.
Marlene was very interested in the weather and seasons. She had thermometers in every room of her house and kept a diary most of her life noting the weather and changing of the plants. She enjoyed gardening and had numerous plants inside and outside the home. She traveled internationally with her husband and were known for their spring trips to Naples, Florida and late summer trips to Traverse City, Michigan.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, September 7, 2024 at 4:00 pm at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witness, 1780 Middle Bellville, Mansfield, OH 44904.
Wappner Funeral Directors-Mansfield is honored to serve the Tennant family.
