It was never supposed to happen *here*.

Yes, we wanted to develop a world-class golf club on the edge of Omaha. But the obvious site was one mile east, a property already for sale. The farm there even had an existing building that worked as a temporary clubhouse.

We routed 18 excellent holes on 122 acres, making every acre count. We even picked a name, based on an abandoned railroad that once traversed the property.

Lost Rail.

But negotiations stalled and we started considering alternatives. We liked the name, so we followed the old rail bed through northwest Sarpy County and looked at adjacent properties.

That’s how we found Marleen.

Sweet and spirited, she’s the best part of this whole project.

In 1987 she and her husband found this land, moved from Ralston & built a house. They loved the quiet. John, who worked in welding, sand blasting and metal cleaning, created paths through the woods.

They chose pasture over cornfields, preserving the rugged terrain and mature trees that, little did they know, would be perfect for a golf course.

John died of pancreatic cancer in 2002 and Marleen could’ve sold the farm. She had offers.

The bluff overlooking the rivers, especially, would’ve been perfect for high-priced acreages. But she didn’t want “to see it go to concrete.”

There’s only so much land, Marleen's husband told her. You can’t make any more.

So when we called in November and pitched a first-class golf club, she was intrigued, on one condition. She wanted to keep the section where she lived.

"My husband built this house. I'm not going to leave it. I'll die here just like he did."

At 75, Marleen has beaten cancer three times.

Once an ambulance rushed her to the hospital. Code 3. Once she spent two weeks in the ICU. They pulled the plug on her and she started breathing again.

She doesn’t have kids. She can’t see her neighbors because of Covid-19 — she personifies “high-risk.” Social distancing irks her because she's quick with a hug, even for strangers.

But she retains her spunk.

Drive by the house on a sunny day and you might see her feeding birds, picking up sticks or walking her beloved Sheltie around the driveway.

"Peanut" loves to bark, but according to Marleen, the dog runs back inside when it's too windy.

“She's a pansy.”

Marleen is anything but. Five months ago, she trusted our vision for her special land and we started this adventure together.

We can’t wait to show her the finished product.

Any Lost Rail member or follower should know the story of Marleen. ICYMI, enjoy this thread.