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Michael William Marceau, 58

| July 18, 2014 1:03 PM

Michael William Marceau, 58, died unexpectedly from natural causes on July 10, 2014. 

Michael was born in St. Ignatius, Mont., on October 19, 1955. The majority of his childhood was spent first in Seeley Lake, Mont., then in Haines, Alaska. In his youth, Michael played baseball, basketball, and worked on fishing boats until his senior year in high school, when his family moved to Columbia Falls, Mont.

After graduating from high school in 1974, Michael loaded the few things he could into a backpack and biked to Wenatchee, Wash., sleeping under picnic tables and bathing in lakes along the way. Soon after, Michael began his freshman year at Western Washington University. He would ultimately return homeward to earn his bachelor's degree in social work from the University of Montana.

It was during Michael's immediate post-graduation employment that he met his future wife, Cathi, while interviewing for a social work position in Hamilton, Mont. Within months, Michael and Cathi were a couple. Hamilton was also where Michael and Cathi lost their first child, Catherine, in 1981. Catherine's passing became the couple's catalyst to earn advanced degrees to better serve children and families.

In pursuit of Masters of Social Work (M.S.W.) degrees, Michael and Cathi moved from Hamilton to Spokane, Wash., and attended Eastern Washington University. After graduate school, the two moved to Ontario, Ore., where their family began to grow. Between 1984 and 1989, Michael and Cathi had three sons: Michael John, Brian and Matthew.  

Michael has been described as honest, loving, and genuine his entire life, but fatherhood was where he discovered his greater purpose and vision for his ultimate future. In 1989 Michael and his family moved from Ontario to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Though initially employed by the State of Idaho, Michael and Cathi founded their life's work in 1991, when the doors to North Lakes Family Center first opened. Michael continued building his vision at North Lakes Family Center until his passing.

While working and raising his family, Michael fostered his love of sports through coaching all three of his sons, playing basketball in Rec leagues, and later taking to tennis and golf. Many of his friends were made, and kept, through his regular involvement in leagues, tournaments, or casual play.

Another facet of life Michael nurtured was his faith, something his family members believe he came by effortlessly. Michael volunteered, attended services, and immersed himself in Bible study groups with his wife and numerous friends. Michael loved life, cared for others, and lived his values.

Michael will be remembered for the love he had, and the time he made, for his family and those in need. He credited his strength and values to the mother and father who raised him to be the man he would become. The world is a better place because of Michael William Marceau. 

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Catherine Michael Marceau. Michael is survived by his wife, Cathi Marceau; sons, Michael John, Brian, and Matthew Marceau; granddaughter, Paris Marceau; parents, Janet Pinney and John Marceau; and brothers: Curt, Scott, and Mark Marceau. 

A public memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, July 22, at Lake City Community Church in Coeur d'Alene. In lieu of flowers, the Marceau family requests donations be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, or the Wishing Star Foundation, in Michael's memory.