Marlene Mae Stover

Marlene Mae Stover, 83, passed away on February 11, 2019 at Sharon Care Center in Centralia, Washington. Marlene was born in Seattle, Washington, on July 16, 1935 to Walter and Bertha (Siepmann) Smith. Bertha later married Roman Szelap, who raised Marlene as his own daughter. Marlene lived on her grandparent’s farm in Bellevue, Washington, where she started her schooling. The family moved to Onalaska, Washington, in 1948 and she graduated from Onalaska High School with the class of 1953. On March 4, 1953, she married Marion Stover and they lived on the island of Guam for a short time period while Marion served as a U.S. Navy Seabee. To their union were born two daughters, Maretta and Marilyn. They resided in Centralia where Marlene enjoyed being a housewife and mother. She was involved with the girls’ school activities, plus working at the elementary school office for a couple of years. She enjoyed going to the beach, camping, canning, keeping a garden, and was a wonderful cook. She liked to make cutout Christmas cookies and invited her daughters’ friends to come and help decorate. Life changes lead to Marlene relocating to Mercer Island, Washington, and it was there that she had the joy of being a nanny. She loved children and was very patient in reading and caring for them. While living on Mercer Island, Marlene met her companion of many years, Roy Nordine. They moved to LaConner, Washington, where she lived until the time of Roy’s death in April 2016. She came back to Centralia to Sharon Care Center. She enjoyed life and activities in assisted living until suffering a stroke in September 2017, leaving her paralyzed on one side. She moved to Sharon Care skilled care and again made new friends and participated in daily activities, which she enjoyed greatly. She never wanted to miss balloon toss or BINGO and she loved the prizes she got to select. Marlene loved music from piano lessons, playing clarinet in the Onalaska High School Band to listening to music in her Sharon Care room via her Amazon Echo. She had great pleasure in asking Alexa for specific information and to play the songs by her favorite crooners. Marlene is survived by her two daughters, Maretta (Jerry) Boes of Chehalis and Marilyn (Jack) Haskins of Rochester, Washington; four grandchildren, Jennifer (Sam) Groberg of Centralia, Samantha (Eric) Vonderscheer of Kent, Washington, Alicia (Nick) Miller of Lakewood, Washington, and Brandon (Chelsea) Haskins of Rochester; five great grandchildren, Jackson Groberg, Paul Vonderscheer, Molly Vonderscheer, Maize Vonderscheer, and Henry Miller; sister, Margie Cristler of Prosser, Washington; and nieces, nephews, and cousins. The family would like to thank all of the staff and caregivers at Sharon Care Center for making Marlene’s days pleasant ones. Special thanks to Linda and Karli who took extra time to bring her to the activity room for socialization, and to Dr. Jeanne Adams for her professional and compassionate medical care. Private burial was held at Claquato Cemetery. Family and friends will be invited to a celebration of life for Marlene to be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Visiting Nurses Foundation, Centralia.