Marlene Marie (Sielaff) Smith

Marlene Marie (Sielaff) Smith passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, in Nampa, ID, surrounded by her loved ones, after bravely facing a battle with cancer.

Born on December 24, 1940, in Boise, Marlene was raised alongside her brother Marty and sisters Marilyn and Anita. In 1955, Marlene met the love of her life, Glen Smith at the Brownlee Dam project in Oregon. Marlene and Glen shared 67 beautiful years of marriage and their union brought forth three cherished children: Glen Jr, Rick, and Lynette. 

Marlene embarked on a remarkable journey, becoming part of Boise State University's inaugural graduating class in 1974. Following her graduation, she devoted over three decades to a fulfilling career as an Optician and surgical scrub nurse, serving the community with dedication and skill. 

Marlene cherished moments spent with her family, relishing holidays, the excitement of shopping adventures, and the tranquility found in knitting and crocheting. Among her fondest memories were camping trips with her family, where she would delight her grandchildren with homemade syrup-drenched pancakes—a tradition that brought sweet joy to their hearts. Her enthusiasm for life extended to cheering on the Boise State Broncos, where she not only enjoyed the games but also formed bonds with many of the football players of which she still shares today.

Marlene's love and devotion to her family knew no bounds, and she radiated warmth and kindness to all who crossed her path. Her infectious positivity and unwavering affection created lasting bonds with everyone she met, leaving a lasting mark on their lives.

Marlene's legacy lives on through her husband, Glen Smith; her children, Glen Jr (Sharon) Smith, Rick (Shelley) Smith, and Lynette (Merlin) Farrar; her sisters, Marilyn (Gary) Ruschman and Anita Burgess; her sister-in-law, Kay Sielaff; as well as her 8 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren and countless nieces, nephews and other family members.

Marlene was preceded in death by her parents, Alene and Martin Sielaff; brother, Marty; brother-in-law, Tim Burgess; grandson, Ricky; and great-granddaughter, Skylar. 

In her final days, Marlene found solace in the compassionate care provided by Dr Chawla and the staff at the St Alphonsus Cancer Care center in Nampa, ID. The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated staff for their unwavering support during this challenging time.

A celebration of Marlene's remarkable life will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, June 8, 2024, at the Nampa Funeral Home Yraguen Chapel, where memories and coffee will be shared, and her beloved spirit honored.

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