Marion B. Brekken

Marion B. Brekken passed away on August 28, 2016 at her home in Grapevine. She was 81 years of age.

Service: A Celebration of Life Service will take place at 1:00 p.m., Thursday at the First United Methodist Church of Grapevine, 422 Church St., Grapevine.
Memorial Visitation: The family will greet guests from 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday at Lucas Funeral Home in Grapevine, 700 W. Wall St., Grapevine.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to either:
The Marion Brekken STEM endowment fund at the GCISD Foundation - http://www.gcisd-k12.org/Page/378

The Brekken family scholarship at Texas Lutheran University (Seguin, TX) - https://secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=069a4b

The Brekken family scholarship at Luther College (Decorah, IA) - https://www.luther.edu/giving/givenow/?_step=GiftPageOneForm

or the American Cancer Society - https://donate.cancer.org/index

Marion was born the youngest of six children in Phillips, Wisconsin to John and Amelia Bolton on January 29, 1935. As a youngster, Marion’s dad was out of work and taught her to read. Before she officially started school she tagged along with her brothers to the local schoolhouse and consequently developed a lifelong love of learning and ended up skipping a grade or two in school. She moved in her teen years to Milwaukee, where she was valedictorian of her high school class.

Marion attended the University of Wisconsin at Madison, graduating Phi Beta Kappa. She met her husband Alvin “Bud” Brekken at UW-Madison where she worked as a medical technician. They married in 1956. They moved to Grapevine with their children in 1978 after a 20-year career in the Air Force where Bud served as a physician.

Marion was very active in the Grapevine community and served in numerous organizations and boards including: Keep Grapevine Beautiful Founding Member and Lifetime Achievement Award 2012 in recognition of 20 years of service; Women’s Division of the Grapevine Chamber of Commerce (Woman of the Year 1990); Grapevine Chamber of Commerce (D.E. Box Citizen of the Year 1987); GCISD Education Foundation - Founding Director 1998-2009, President 2002 and served in leadership roles during her membership; Distinguished Friend 2015 of the Foundation (presented June 1, 2015); GCISD Board of Trustees 1990-May, 1997; President 1995-1997; Heritage Foundation 1990-1998 – Founding Member; City Council 1980-1986 (Liaison to the Library Board); Friends of the Library (served in all leadership roles through the years and some multiple times); United Way – Northeast Steering Committee; Tax Increment Financing District; Parks and Recreation Board 1995; Main Street Committee 1986; Grapevine Historical Society (Secretary 1990-1991; 1st VP/Curator 1992-1995; 2nd VP/Program chair 2000-2003; Committee Chair that originated the Historical Markers project that provided landmark plaques for historical buildings in Grapevine (1987-2007); Friends of the Library (Past President); Texas Bank Advisory Board; Baylor Medical Center at Grapevine Board of Trustees (1981-1990); Grapevine Wine Pouring Society; Grapevine Garden Club (25 year member of executive committee); ’36 Club; American Cancer Society; and Texas Lutheran University Board of Regents (1995-2002). She also served on the state of Texas sesquicentennial committee and was a docent for school kids at the Grapevine Botanical Gardens. Outside of Grapevine, she was active at the church and synod level. She participated in the Faculty Wives Club of UT Southwestern. While in San Antonio, she and another Air Force wife recognized the need for a local library. In three months' time and no cost to the city, they started a library for the town of Leon Valley. Her numerous activities were a product of having a big heart, believing in her community and recognition of good ideas and projects.

Survivors: Marion is survived by her loving husband of over 60 years, Dr. Alvin L. Brekken; children, Kirstin Brekken and husband, Dr. Charles Shea, Kari Voight and husband, Jeff Voight, and Dr. Rolf Brekken and wife, Dr. Deirdre Brekken; grandchildren, Brek, Kacy, Ryka, Erika, Katrina, Drew, Cade, Matt, and Kevin; great-grandchildren, Briley, Declan, and Phoenix; and many loving family and friends.