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Marjorie J. Croyle, 68

Marjorie J. Croyle went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, April 10, 2018. She was surrounded by family and went peacefully around noon.

Marj was the youngest of seven children, born to Harold and Josephine Laney on Sept. 18, 1951 in Spokane, Wash. Marj lost her father and older brother, David, in an airplane accident when she was just seven years old. Raised by her mother and older siblings, she grew up loving to garden and play the piano.

At the age of 13, Marj met the love of her life, Steve Croyle. Even though she was young, Marj knew she loved Steve. In fact, in high school she was supposed to write a paper on what she wanted to be when she grew up. She was chastised by the teacher when she wrote simply that she wanted to grow up to be Mrs. Steve Croyle. Well, her wish became reality when she was just 17 years old. Steve and Marj married on Aug. 2, 1969, and had two sons, Robbi and Ricki.

Marj and the family were semi-nomadic in the early years, living in Texas, California, Oregon, Idaho and Washington. They moved, on average, once a year, and the shortest time they ever stayed in one house was 3 weeks.

When Marj was 32 the family moved to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho and planted deep roots. Steve and Marj were best known in the community as owners and operators of Lake City Transmission & Muffler for close to 30 years. Steve fixed the transmissions while Marj did the books, helped the customers, and kept all the paperwork flying in the right direction. In 2013, Steve and Marj retired from the transmission business and dedicated their lives to their kids, grandkids, and church friends.

Marj was also well known for ministering to people both through the business and church. Marj had numerous back surgeries and was a great listening ear to anyone suffering from the same fate. Steve and Marj probably bore the most fruit in their involvement in the marriage ministry at Real Life Ministries. One thing that made Marj so special was her ability to listen with great empathy and no judgment. And if you had Marj in your corner, you knew that you were prayed for fervently and regularly.

Marj had a tender heart but a tough body. With all her ailments, she never lost her sense of hope and sweet spirit. In her last moments she revealed the source of her hope when she said, “I’m ready to go home to Jesus.”

Marj is preceded in death by her husband, Steve. She is survived by her sons Robbi and Ricki; sister Marilyn, brothers Hal, Don, and Gene; grandkids Genevieve, Jacob, Joshua, Joy, Jasmine, David and Ryan.

There will be a visitation held from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Monday, April 16, at English Funeral Chapel, 1133 N. Fourth St., Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

Services for Marj will be held at 1 p.m. Monday at Coeur d’Alene Real Life.

There will also be a Graveside Service at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 17, at Eastern Washington State Veterans Cemetery in Medical Lake, Wash.

To see her online obituary and to leave a message to the family please visit www.englishfuneralchapel.com.