Esther Marlene Wilson

Esther Marlene Wilson was born in Wolf Point, Mont., on May 17, 1931, and grew up in Nashua, Mont. She passed away on Friday, Nov. 15, 2019, at the age of 88.

Funeral services will be at Grace Lutheran Church in Boulder, Colo., on Friday, Nov. 22, at 1 p.m.

She attended Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn., where she received a bachelors in psychology. She met her husband, Harvey, at Concordia and they married in 1956. They had four children, Debra and Dianne (twins who died shortly after birth), son Richard Wilson in 1959, and daughter Lisa Wilson in 1963. They moved the family from California to Boulder in 1969.

After college, Marlene worked for a year at a psychiatric hospital, and later worked in business administration for six years. She later found her passion in the field of volunteer management, applying business management principles to the field of volunteerism in all sectors, including the church. She was a pioneer in that field for the remainder of her life. She was a founder of the first volunteer center in Boulder. She later wrote four books, made countless videos, and travelled the world as a speaker, sharing her passion, knowledge, and compassion to thousands. She received an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity from Wartburg college, and received countless awards and accolades for her work, throughout her lifetime.

She is survived by one son, Richard; one daughter, Lisa; and many beloved relatives.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in her memory to the charity of your choice.