Marlene Kay Thompson, 84
Marlene Kay Thompson, 84, of Post Falls, departed to her Heavenly Home on March, 11, 2016.
Marlene was born March 26, 1931, in Chillicothe, Mo. She was the daughter of Edward and Hilda (Renz) Pudwill, and the oldest of seven children.
Marlene lived in Herreid, S.D.; Hayden and Post Falls, Idaho; McIntosh, S.D.; and Chattaroy, Wash., during her adolescent years. She graduated from Chattaroy’s Riverside High School in 1949. She attended Eastern Washington College for one year taking business classes.
In 1953, Marlene moved to Long Beach, Calif., and worked for a Title Company for two years. Marlene met her future husband, Lloyd Thompson, at a Fourth of July dance in 1954. After marriage, they lived in Merced, Calif., as Lloyd was completing his 20 years of service in the Air Force. Their son, Lowell, and daughter, Tracy, were born while living in California. Marlene worked for two years as a real estate loan processor for a local Merced bank.
After Lloyd’s retirement in 1964, the family moved to Salem, Ore. In 1970 while living in Silverton, Ore., their daughter, Nancy, was born.
The family moved to Boise, Idaho, during the summer of 1971, and Lloyd and Marlene remained there until 1995. While living in Boise, Marlene served as an elementary school teacher’s aide. She was also very active teaching Sunday school classes at the Baptist Church the family attended.
After the children had grown, Lloyd and Marlene moved to Sun City, Ariz., to enjoy their retirement years. They enjoyed golfing, socializing with friends and various activities the local recreation centers offered. Marlene enjoyed special time with her mother, Hilda, when she came to spend the winters in Arizona with her and Lloyd.
In September 1997, Lloyd and Marlene moved to Cottonwood, Ariz., and made many new and dear friends. Lloyd was diagnosed with salivary gland cancer in late 2000 and passed away in April 2004. In June 2005, Marlene moved to Leisure Park in Hayden to be closer to the many family members living in the immediate area.
Marlene was a loving and caring Mother. She made many lifelong friends over the years, and always put others needs ahead of her own. She enjoyed playing bridge, pinochle, and other card and board games. She also loved to refinish furniture, and always had a project to work on. She enjoyed trips to the Oregon Coast along with many trips to visit her and Lloyd’s family and friends. Reading books, listening to music and attending Bible study classes brought great joy to her life.
Marlene was preceded in death by her father, Edward Pudwill; mother Hilda Pudwill; sister Muriel Dixon; brother Marvin Pudwill; son Lowell Thompson; daughter Nancy Thompson; stepson Michael V. Thompson and grandson Michael Thompson.
Marlene is survived by daughter Tracy (husband, Tom) Baker of Coeur d’Alene; daughter-In-law Toni Thompson of Lewiston, Idaho; stepdaughter Cathy Hair of Sun City; brother Everett Pudwill of Texas; sister Patricia Pudwill of Post Falls; sister Peggy Whitney of Greenacres, Wash.; brother Konrad Pudwill of Post Falls; 14 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Memorial services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 26, 2016, at English Funeral Chapel in Coeur d’Alene.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Memory of Marlene to the local Alzheimer’s Association.
“To Live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die.” — Thomas Campbell
Please visit Marlene’s online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.