Marlene Prehal

It is with deep sorrow and sadness that the family of Marlene “Toody” Prehal (93) announce her peaceful passing on Friday, May 23, 2025. Toody was born as Marlene Evelyn Swanson in South Minneapolis, MN to Adolf and Esther (nee Larson) Swanson on December 29, 1931. She would often speak of her childhood memories of ice skating on the pond near her house and her dog YaYa. Adolf called Marlene his little “Tuttan”, a Swedish term of endearment, which morphed into her nickname, Toody. Adolf, a Swedish immigrant was tragically killed in a train accident in a blinding snow storm in 1949 leaving Toody and her sister, Lois without a father. To help her family in the wake of her father’s loss, Toody dropped out of high school during her senior year and started working. She worked hard the rest of her life doing various jobs, including motherhood. Toody’s first job after losing her father was as an assembly line worker at an ammunition plant in Minneapolis. It was here that she met her future husband, Henry “Hank” Prehal. After her sister Lois graduated from high school, Toody and Lois moved to South Gate, California. The two of them packed up their meager worldly belongings and drove out to Southern California. Although they were a thousand miles away, Hank and Toody remained in contact via love letters. Not much later, Hank moved to Northern California and the two reunited and soon married. They welcomed their only child, a son, Bruce in 1954. Toody and Hank went on to become very successful business owners, including bar, restaurants, nightclubs and a campground. Their love for life, people and each other played a large role in the success of their business ventures. Toody was always the hostess to the mostest. She enjoyed entertaining, decorating, shopping, collecting dolls and angels, and she idolized Elvis. Toody was very proud of her Scandinavian heritage and kept traditions alive by making her famous Rosettes, Fattigmann and Spritz cookies for Christmas. Toody and Hank retired in 1989 and moved to Kissimmee, Florida to be near their son, Bruce, and his family. Toody and Hank made Florida their home where they had very active life including memberships at the Elks and Moose clubs; and Toody was a member of the Red Hat Society. Toody hosted visitors from across the country, as well as, countless parties for their local and British friends. She enjoyed golfing and won, or placed, in many Lady League tournaments. She was also one of Arnie’s Army, volunteering at the Bay Hill Classic for a number of years. Toody will be dearly remembered by her family. She leaves behind her only child, Bruce Prehal (wife Barbara), only grandchild, Dr. Brenda Prehal (husband Ingvi) and two great granddaughters, Eydís and Máney Ingvadóttir who live in Iceland. She also leaves behind her step-sister, Lynn Wagstrom in California. Marlene is preceded in death by her husband, Henry Prehal, her sister, Lois, and her only nephews, Mark and Jeff Glenn. According to their final wishes, a joint Celebration of Life will be held in their home state of Minnesota. They will be interred side by side at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in St. Paul. The family wishes to send a special thank you to the staff at the Club of Saint Cloud ALF and Vitas Hospice Services.

Marlene Prehal

December 29, 1931 - May 23, 2025