Marlene Searle

Marlene Miller Searle passed away on January 30, 2016, at her home in Shelley at the age of 83.

Marlene was born April 2, 1932, in Shelley, Idaho, the daughter of Dennis and Ada Miller. Marlene's father Dennis died in an accident when Marlene was three years old. Her mother later married Henry Larsen, who raised Marlene as his own daughter. Marlene had one younger brother, Ted, who was one of her lifelong, closest friends.

Marlene married her high school sweetheart, Dean Searle, in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple, on June 13, 1950, a month after they graduated Shelley High School together. Dean joined the Navy, and they had four years of adventure, traveling the country and living in places such as Florida, Arizona, and Hawaii.

After the Navy, Dean and Marlene returned to Shelley to farm with his father and brothers. During those years, Dean and Marlene were blessed with four children: Ron, Tracie, Tony, and Sue. Marlene was a loving mother who was full of fun. She enjoyed taking her kids skiing, on backpacking trips, having big family dinners, and staying up late to hear about their dates and social lives.

Marlene had seventeen grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren, who were all her favorite. It was always a treat for her children and grandchildren to talk to grandma because they knew she'd be as excited and happy as they were whenever there was good news to share. They also knew to take care when sharing bad news because grandma would worry and lose sleep whenever they were struggling.

Marlene was a friend to many and loved by all because she had a listening ear, a loving heart, and a sassy sense of humor.

Marlene served in many callings in the LDS church, including working in the Primary and girls camp. She loved working with young people because she loved to have fun.

She was an avid reader all her life and always had a book nearby. She loved golfing with her girlfriends, going to her cabin in Island Park, attending cousin reunions with her many beloved cousins, and traveling to Arizona and Southern Utah in the winters with Dean. Marlene loved to play cards, a hobby she passed down to her children and grandchildren who loved to play hand and foot and pinochle with her. She shared many stories of her grandparents and great-grandparents, and her home was full of old pictures and antiques she'd saved, many of which won blue ribbons at the Eastern Idaho State fair.

Marlene is survived by her husband Dean; her four children, Ron (Dayle) Searle, Tracie (Keith) Knowlton, Tony (Jacquelyn) Searle, and Sue (Darren) Forman; her grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and her brother Ted (Pat) Miller. She was preceded in death by her parents and one granddaughter.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, February 4, 2016 at the Shelley Fifth Ward Chapel (513 S Park) in Shelley. The family will receive friends Wednesday evening from 6:30 till 8:00 P.M. at Nalder Funeral Home (110 West Oak) in Shelley and Thursday morning from 9:30 till 10:40 A.M. at the church.  Burial will be in the Shelley Hillcrest Cemetery.