Obituary of Marlene Kaye Hirsh

Marlene Kaye Hirsh, 53, of Stanchfield died unexpectedly on Tuesday, April 24, 2007 at the Cambridge Medical Center. Marlene Kaye Johnston was born October 18, 1953 in Minneapolis, MN to the parents of Ambrose and Betty Johnston. The family lived in Richfield for a few years and then moved to Bloomington where she graduated from Kennedy High School in 1971. She was an "A" student and participated in musicals, the senior choir and the "JB's", a jazz ensemble. She even competed in the Miss Bloomington competition. Kaye worked all through high school as a cashier at a local grocery store. After graduation she trained as a dental assistant and worked in two orthodontic offices prior to, and during the first few years of marriage. She finished her dental assisting career at the U of M dental school just before Cassie was born. Later on, after her children were older, she worked for two group homes in Cambridge; a decorating/furniture store in Isanti; and for the past five years, as a realtor for Coldwell Banker Action Realty. Kaye was raised in a Christ-centered home where she learned biblical values from an early age. She was active in her church's high school youth group and its leadership. In the summers, she would always attend Trout Lake Camp with her youth group. Through the hand of the Lord on her life and her parents' example, she developed a strong desire to serve God in whatever situation she found herself. Marlene Kaye met her future husband, David Hirsh at church in 1969 when his family moved to Minnesota from Seattle, WA. He proposed to her at a Dairy Queen in the car with little brother Tim in the back seat. They were married July 15, 1972 just before Dave started dental school. After his graduation in 1976, Dave and Kaye moved to Belle Plaine for a brief period and then returned to the Twin Cities. In 1989, Kaye's family moved to Cambridge searching for more "elbow" room and to try something different from busy city life. Kaye and Dave have three children. The first little boy was stillborn on March 7, 1974. Cassie was born on September 1st, 1976 and Christian came along May 15, 1982. Kaye and Dave are strong believers in the value of a Christ-centered education. Cassie attended Christian school in the cities and graduated from Cambridge Christian School. They home schooled Christian through his sophomore year, then he completed high school at Cambridge Community College through the PSEO program. Kaye had a deep love for people and relationships. She served her God diligently by serving others. Over the years, she developed great wisdom and wasn't hesitant to share that wisdom in trying to meet the needs of others. She had a particular love for kids and always worked in the nursery and kindergarten Sunday school at church. She especially had a heart for high school girls and had worked with the high school youth at church for 10 years until she died. There was hardly a day that passed when Kaye wasn't on the phone or with someone trying to help and encourage them. That was her life and her service to her Lord. Kaye led a richly humorous, fun-filled, unselfish life without regret. She was preceded in death by her parents Betty and Ambrose Johnston, and sister Diane Aurich. She is survived by her husband David, son Christian, daughter Cassie and husband Matt Clark and their son Andy, brothers Dan and wife Ann Johnston of Tucson, AZ, Tim and wife Cynde Johnston of Reno, NV, and nine nieces and nephews, Michelle Aurich, Dustin Johnston, Danita (Chris) Glenn, Marcus Aurich, Mike Aurich, Matt Aurich, Victoria Johnston, Amy Johnston, Alex Johnston, as well as aunts, uncles, other relatives and friends.