Marene J. Levin

Marene Joan (Bockelman) Levin, age 80, of Versailles, Missouri, passed away Friday, August 22, 2025, at Golden Age Living Center in Stover, Missouri.

She was born December 6, 1944, in rural Versailles, Missouri, the only child of Herbert L. Bockelman and Lorena Alvine Anna Carolina (Ehlers) Bockelman.

She was a 1962 graduate of Stover High School as valedictorian of her class. In 1966, Marene received her Bachelor of Science in Education with a Functional Major in Business Education from The University of Central Missouri. She taught business in the Galena, Illinois school system and was a substitute teacher for more than 20 years in Stover’s school district.

In addition to her love of education, Marene was a musician and possessed a deep love of the arts. She served as the organist of Christ Lutheran Church in Stover from 1962-1966 where she met her husband, Duane E. Levin, while he was a summer intern with the congregation. They were united in marriage on August 21, 1966, in the church where they met. 

A true pastor’s wife, she served as the church organist for St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Tescott, Kansas; Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Stuttgart, Kansas; St. John UCC in Florence; and United Lutheran Church in Cole Camp. She also shared her talents with other congregations as needed including Kent Memorial Lutheran Church in Sunrise Beach, Our Saviors Lutheran in Camdenton, Immanuel UCC Sedalia, Calvary Episcopal Church Sedalia, and Christ and Trinity Lutheran Church Sedalia where she was a member.

Marene was also a member of the Sedalia Concert Band and played in the pit orchestra for countless productions at Sedalia’s Liberty Center for the Arts. She shared her love of music with a new generation of musicians, teaching piano lessons in both Kansas and Missouri.

Above all, she loved the land and the family farm, which had been in her family for many years. She was honored to carry on the legacy of her father and could be seen throughout the summer on her trusty Ford tractor raking hundreds of acres of hay.

Carrying on and honoring her legacy is her son, Darren E. Levin of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, along with numerous cousins, colleagues, friends, and the farm family. She was preceded in death by her husband and parents.

Funeral services will be 11:00 AM on Friday, August 29, 2025, at Christ and Trinity Lutheran Church located at 2101 West 32nd Street, Sedalia, Missouri. Bishop Susan Candea will be presiding with Mother Anne Meredith Kyle assisting. Graveside services will follow at approximately 1:45 PM in the Kipp Addition of the Stover City Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 4:00-8:00 PM on Thursday, August 28, 2025, at the Scrivner-Page-Dady Funeral Home in Stover.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Stover Community Teacher’s Association Scholarship Fund or Christ and Trinity Lutheran Church Sedalia.