Marlene June Plank, 88

Marlene June Plank, 88, joined our Lord and Savior in heaven on December 8, 2020 in Sandpoint, Idaho. Private family services will be held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.

Marlene was born May 23, 1932, in San Diego, California, to James and Eleanor Stephenson. She was an only child. After her parents divorced when she was 6 years old, her and her mother moved to Beverly Glen Canyon and Marlene went all through school in Westwood. Marlene graduated from University High School in January 1951. She worked for famous Hollywood fashion and costume designer for the movie industry, Howard Greer for a number of years, until she married.

Marlene had met her future husband, Melvin Dewey Plank, in the summer of 1950. They were married in April 1951 by Dewey’s cousin, who was a priest at St. Timothy’s Catholic Church in West LA. In April 2021, they would have been married 70 years.

After marriage, Marlene and Dewey lived in Woodland Hills in San Fernando Valley where all four boys were born: Robert (Bob), John, Ken and Jeff. Marlene taught catechism classes for years as they moved from Woodland Hills, Leona Valley, Quartz Hill, and Bishop.

Marlene doted on her sons, helping to guide them through their youth to adulthood with a clear understanding of right and wrong, the values of honesty, faith, care and respect for others, responsibility, love of family, joy and protection of nature, competitive sports, and how to be good people. Mom had a beautiful spirituality about her and loved her Lord and savior with all that was in her being, Catholic faith was who she was, Mom had a very deep love and devotion to our Blessed Mother and her most Holy Rosary for which she prayed devoutly every night for many years before falling off to sleep, sometimes falling off to sleep with her rosaries still in her hands, and most likely praying for her family and friends. That’s who she was, always placing everybody in her life before her needs.

The family moved to Bishop in 1967 where Marlene and Dewey became ski instructors for the Bishop High School, from which all four boys graduated. The family raised basset hound dogs for a few years and remember fondly Sampson and Delilah as parents to several litters.

In 1981, Dewey retired at age 53 and they sold their house in Bishop and moved up to Hayden, Idaho. They soon moved up to Sandpoint and started attending St. Joseph’s Church. Marlene has participated in the soup kitchen for 35 years and they have attended mass every day when possible.

Marlene was an avid tennis player and skier. If not enjoying adventures with her husband Dewey, she had her group of girlfriends she could ski, play tennis, kayak, bike or hang out with. Both Marlene and Dewey did volksmarches all over Idaho, and many other states. As well as bicycling, traveling the U.S. and Canada in their RV, exploring Europe, and visiting all family members scattered across four states.

Marlene treated each of her friends and family as if they were her favorite. She loved entertaining and was always the perfect hostess for no matter how few or how many came to visit. She was always interested in how each of us were doing in life, and always gave her love and support to help us with whatever ups and downs we might have had. She was our rock, the first person we called with good news, the one we solicited for advice when things were not going as intended.

They have lived in Ponder Point for the past 23 years where they have had easy access to boating and ice skating on Lake Pend Oreille. They feel blessed with the neighbors and friends they have made over the years and how so many have helped Marlene and Dewey during these past six months. Stopping by for a welcome visit, bringing meals and desserts, inviting them over for barbecues or out to a restaurant for a meal.

Marlene is the matriarch of our Plank family and has always been very proud of her four sons: Bob (Marci), John (Tami), Ken (Jeannine), and Jeff (Jackie). She leaves behind nine grandchildren, Heidi (Melissa), Misty (Keith), Jason (Stephanie), Jeremy (Laurie), Emilee, Riley, Hannah, Brett, and Kamber; and also nine great-grandchildren, Max, Sam, Liam, Luke, Dylin, Jacob, Cameron, Haley, Emberlee.

Thank you to Bonner Community Hospice who have been so helpful and dedicated during these months of uncertainty and transition for not only Marlene and Dewey but the rest of the family as well. Thank you also to Deacon Mike, Elena and Marydean for offering communion every day.

Memorial donations may be made to Panhandle Animal Shelter, 870 Kootenai Cutoff Road, Ponderay, ID 83852, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church 601 S. Lincoln Ave, Sandpoint, ID 83864, or Bonner Community Hospice, 602 N. Third Ave, Sandpoint, ID 83864.

Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements. Please visit Marlene’s online memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign her guest book.