1958
Marlene
2023
Marlene Dawn Jarrell
January 16, 1958 — June 18, 2023
Marlene Dawn Jarrell—also affectionately known as Mol, Molly, and Josephine Cool, passed from this life on Jun 18th, 2023.
Hilarious, ornery, generous, and opinionated—and quite the character--she made an impression on all she met.
She loved: all kinds of music from Buxtehude to the Blues, a fine day on the river, a good plate of ribs, a well-told story, and a snappy comeback. She loved the Lord, and there was a special place in her heart for the down and out. She also loved family gatherings and enjoyed the “picnics on the hill” with her siblings and close cousins—Joan, Marilyn, and Marcia—in the months before her death. She will forever be missed.
Marlene was born in Vancouver, WA on January 16, 1958. She was delighted to be the same age as her older sister, Nancy for two weeks out of each year. Growing up in rural Washington County, she roamed the woods and fields of Patton Valley, Gaston, before the family moved to family property adjoining David’s Hill, Forest Grove when she began first grade at Harvey Clarke Elementary, continuing at Neil Armstrong Junior High.
For high school, she attended Northwestern Lutheran Academy in Mobridge, South Dakota where she excelled at sports, music, and drama. She was proud of “going to State” in girls’ basketball, enjoyed playing in band and sang in the a capella choir. She was grateful to connect to old and dear friends from NLA via Facebook during the pandemic. Her spirits were lifted immensely by those who kept in contact with her.
After high school Marlene attended Dr. Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN. It is there that she began her first stint as a waitress at the famous Kaiserhoff Restaurant. When she returned to Oregon, she worked as a waitress at Jan’s Food Mill for many years. She made treasured friendships at both places. She eventually became bar manager at The Flying M Ranch in Yamhill, Oregon, and then made a career switch to the grocery industry, becoming a produce manager at Natures Fresh Northwest in the Fremont Store. When Natures was acquired by other companies, she continued working in organic produce at Wild Oats and Whole Foods.
Marlene enjoyed playing her guitars and paddling the Willamette and Columbia rivers as part of a women’s paddling team and treasured times spent camping at Trillium Lake and around Mt. Hood.
Marlene is survived by her father, Parnell Jarrell; sisters, Ginger Duncan (Joe), Donna Gregoire (Bob), Nancy Jarrell (Mark Roberts), and Beverly Jarrell; many nephews, nieces, cousins, and extended family.
Marlene’s mother, Wilhelmine; brother, Parnie; and sister, Debbie passed before her.
A private graveside service officiated by Pastor Thad Bitter will be held on July 17th. The Celebration of Life set for August 6th has been postponed. We will inform friends and family when a new time has been scheduled. Please contact sisters Donna, Nancy, or Bev for information.
Memorial donations may be sent to Great Plains Lutheran high School Strings Program, c/o David Maertz, 1200 Luther Lane NE, Watertown SD 57201, or NARA, Native American Rehab Center of the Northwest
https://www.naranorthwest.org/donations/
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39
Hilarious, ornery, generous, and opinionated—and quite the character--she made an impression on all she met.
She loved: all kinds of music from Buxtehude to the Blues, a fine day on the river, a good plate of ribs, a well-told story, and a snappy comeback. She loved the Lord, and there was a special place in her heart for the down and out. She also loved family gatherings and enjoyed the “picnics on the hill” with her siblings and close cousins—Joan, Marilyn, and Marcia—in the months before her death. She will forever be missed.
Marlene was born in Vancouver, WA on January 16, 1958. She was delighted to be the same age as her older sister, Nancy for two weeks out of each year. Growing up in rural Washington County, she roamed the woods and fields of Patton Valley, Gaston, before the family moved to family property adjoining David’s Hill, Forest Grove when she began first grade at Harvey Clarke Elementary, continuing at Neil Armstrong Junior High.
For high school, she attended Northwestern Lutheran Academy in Mobridge, South Dakota where she excelled at sports, music, and drama. She was proud of “going to State” in girls’ basketball, enjoyed playing in band and sang in the a capella choir. She was grateful to connect to old and dear friends from NLA via Facebook during the pandemic. Her spirits were lifted immensely by those who kept in contact with her.
After high school Marlene attended Dr. Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN. It is there that she began her first stint as a waitress at the famous Kaiserhoff Restaurant. When she returned to Oregon, she worked as a waitress at Jan’s Food Mill for many years. She made treasured friendships at both places. She eventually became bar manager at The Flying M Ranch in Yamhill, Oregon, and then made a career switch to the grocery industry, becoming a produce manager at Natures Fresh Northwest in the Fremont Store. When Natures was acquired by other companies, she continued working in organic produce at Wild Oats and Whole Foods.
Marlene enjoyed playing her guitars and paddling the Willamette and Columbia rivers as part of a women’s paddling team and treasured times spent camping at Trillium Lake and around Mt. Hood.
Marlene is survived by her father, Parnell Jarrell; sisters, Ginger Duncan (Joe), Donna Gregoire (Bob), Nancy Jarrell (Mark Roberts), and Beverly Jarrell; many nephews, nieces, cousins, and extended family.
Marlene’s mother, Wilhelmine; brother, Parnie; and sister, Debbie passed before her.
A private graveside service officiated by Pastor Thad Bitter will be held on July 17th. The Celebration of Life set for August 6th has been postponed. We will inform friends and family when a new time has been scheduled. Please contact sisters Donna, Nancy, or Bev for information.
Memorial donations may be sent to Great Plains Lutheran high School Strings Program, c/o David Maertz, 1200 Luther Lane NE, Watertown SD 57201, or NARA, Native American Rehab Center of the Northwest
https://www.naranorthwest.org/donations/
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39
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