Marlene Joan (Sehnert) Axline was born July 29, 1931 near Dorchester, Nebraska to Harry West and Emma Catherine (Boshart) Sehnert, and passed away peacefully at the Wilber Care Center on February 1, 2019. Marlene attended Dorchester Public Schools and graduated in 1948. She married her best friend, Harry Axline, on her 21st birthday, July 29, 1952. Marlene worked many years for the Dorchester Coop, where she was the bookkeeper at the elevator. Harry and Marlene were the parents of Catherine Mary and James Harry. They taught their children by example that life isn't fair or easy and that anything worth doing is worth doing right. Marlene and Harry were inseparable from the beginning, with a love that was selfless and unconditional. They were married for over 65 years, and still always made each other laugh. Marlene and Harry's life was one of service to their family and their community. They always supported one another. When Harry was on the Fire Department, Marlene would be answering the fire phone. When the Longenecker building was burning in Dorchester, Harry was fighting the fire and Marlene was feeding the fireman in the backyard at the picnic table. Marlene was well-known for being a phenomenal cook. Each year her family looked forward to her cookie and candy trays at Christmas. She always made beautiful afghans for her loved ones. Reading and music were both important to Marlene. She played the piano, organ, and accordion. She instilled the love of reading to her children and grandchildren. As grandchildren were born, Marlene enjoyed spending time with them and preparing their favorite breakfast meals. The grandchildren played bingo and card games for hours. Those left to celebrate Marlene's life are her children, Catherine Axline Nitzel; and James and Tina Axline; her grandchildren, Reba and Hadley Cooksley, Josh Nitzel, Jonathan Axline, and Caden Axline; brother and sister-in-law, Jerry and Geraldine Sehnert; sister, Jane Hopper, and brother-in law and sister-in-law, Harold and Sharon Axline. Marlene is also survived by many nieces and nephews and friends. Marlene was preceded by her husband, Harry Axline; sister, Frances Spacek, and her husband, Harry; brother, Ronald Sehnert, and his wife, Mary Ann; and brother-in-law, Ken Hopper. Also preceding her were sisters-in-law, Mary Ellen Klopp, and her husband, Bill; Ardis Jean Mortensen, and her husband, John; and Alta Mae Weber, and her husband, Ivan. Services are scheduled for Wednesday, February 6, 2019 at 10:30 at the Kuncl Funeral Home in Crete, Nebraska. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 5, 2019 from 5 – 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment will be at the Dorchester Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Jim Axline, Tina Axline, Caden Axline, Catherine Nitzel, Reba Cooksley, Josh Nitzel, and Hadley Cooksley. Honorary pallbearers will be Jerry Sehnert and Harold Axline. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be given to the Dorchester Fire Department and the Dorchester Legion August Vanek Post #264. Kuncl Funeral Home in Crete is handling the arrangements.