Marlene Elaine Braun, 81

Marlene Elaine Braun, 81, resided with her daughter, Le’tana Lickfold, in Athol, Idaho. She passed away Aug. 11, 2020, at the Schneidmiller Hospice House in Coeur d’Alene.

Marlene was born Aug. 15, 1938, in Maple, Wis., to Arthur and Fannie (Hakari) Boroo. She and had two sisters, Cheryl (Lou) Neeb of Carnation, Wash. and Cynthia (David) Marsh of Hayden, Idaho. The family moved to Orofino in 1947, Lewiston in 1951, and then to Clarkston in 1957.

She enjoyed telling stories of her childhood: traveling to the cabin, hunting camps, running through fields, building forts, high school days as a Bengal (where she graduated in 1956), playing the trombone, carpella, honor society and thespians. The love of God, musical instruments and singing and dancing talents were passed down to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Marlene married Richard N. Braun on May 5, 1961, and they resided in Orofino, where she was employed at the state hospital and worked as a paralegal until 1973, when they moved to Coeur d’Alene with their children, Le’tana (Scott) Lickfold, Rene’ Eifler Braun of Post Falls, Scott (Josefa) Braun of Dalton Gardens, Eric S. Braun (deceased in 1999), and Ethan Braun of Playa del Rey, Calif. Her grandchildren are Charity Lickfold of Clatskanie, Ore., April Angela (Neal) Adams of Post Falls, Andrea (Micah) Coring of Lacenter, Wash., Brandon (Christina) Lickfold of Havre, Mont., Erin (Travis) Campbell of Spokane, Wash., Zacharie (Rachel) Eifler of Post Falls, Emily (Jason) Morrett of Post Falls, Keith Eifler of Liberty Lake, Wash., Gabriel Eifler of Boise, Vanasa Braun of Boise, Jacob (Amy) Braun of Boise, Trisha Braun of Boise and Aiisa Braun of Coeur d’Alene; and great-grandchildren are Joey, Brody, Cade, Keegan, Isabel, Justin, Owen, Jacek, Hannah, Violet, Peyton, Olivia, Shophia, Avery, Izaac, Anabel, Levi, Kendell and Madison. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

Marlene was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Fannie Boroo; son, Eric S. Braun; husband, Richard; Barry Sigmond; and two great-grandchildren, Jason and Tana Leigh

Marlene was enthusiastic about life; she worshiped her Lord and Savior. Now God has her in his loving arms until we meet again. She treasured her five children, 12 grandchildren, and 21 great-grandchildren. She always had a song in her heart, also at the tips of her lips, to sing praises to God Almighty. She enjoyed being in various choirs throughout the area. When it came to “Elvis,” her secret love, she recited the lyrics by heart. Richard and Marlene could cut a rug on the dance floor with their “Jitterbug moves.” It was said that everyone would just stop, step back and watch!

One of her greatest passions was horses, especially her horse “Likely.” She spent enjoyable times with Barry Sigmond (significant other) raising race horses. She swam the Snake River at the age of 50, which was one of countless adventures she crossed off her bucket list. She participated in square dancing, sorority, Jaycette and bowling leagues, was a 4H leader, and traveled to Europe, China and Russia, taking cruises.

Marlene was a gifted business woman. She co-owned and operated Aqua Drilling (plus additional drilling companies), Valhalla Ranch and Elaine’s Turbo Shampoo for several years.

A graveside memorial will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, at the Clarkston Vineland Cemetery, Clarkston, Wash. followed by a celebration of life at the Kiwanis Park in Lewiston, Idaho, from 2 to 6 p.m.

In memory of Marlene, you may make donations to Hospice of North Idaho, 2290 W. Prairie Ave., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815 (www.hospiceofnorthidaho.org). Please visit Marlene’s online memorial and sign her guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.