Marla Ellen Fendler, 71, of Belvidere, IL died August 7, 2021, in Rockford, IL. She was born December 10, 1949, in Chicago, IL, daughter to Harold and Sylvia (Cutler) Jacobson. She received her undergraduate degree from Judson University in Elgin, IL and a Master's degree from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, IL. Marla worked for 30 years as a Speech and Language Pathologist, most recently as an outpatient speech therapist,and in private practice,from which she retired in 2015.

Marla's greatest passion was her family, her children and grandchildren. She wanted to spend every moment she could with them. Her face would light up and she would break into a huge smile anytime one of her grandchildren appeared. She was adored and cherished by each of her children and grand-children and she viewed them as her greatest legacy. She was an avid reader and enjoyed sharing books with family.Marlaalso had a deep interest in Jewish history and the legacy of Israel andheridentity as a Messianic Jew. She supported and participated in Jews for Jesus. She spent her time in the last few years tracing family history from Belarus to Israel and the United States. She enjoyed spending time with friends from her long standing Bible study group who were a fixture in her life.

She is loved and will be dearly missed by son, Todd (Susan) Fendler; daughter, Lauren (Joe) Stoklosa; brother, Robert Jacobson; and grandchildren, Alexis Fendler, Jada (Sergio) Martinez, Shayna Stoklosa, Jenna Fendler, Kaylee Fendler, Sam Fendler and Max Fendler.

Marla is preceded in death by her parents; sons, David Fendler and Herschel Fendler; and brother, Everett Jacobson.

A celebration of Life ceremony will be held at Stateline Church in Rockford, IL at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, August 14, 2021. Tyler Johnson will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Operation Smile or Compassion International. To light a candle or share a memory, please visitwww.AndersonFCS.com.