Marlene Eileen Kavan

Marlene was born on a farm in Davey, Nebraska. She led an active life singing in her local church and in high school where she was a cheerleader and member of the Glee club.
Marlene was the only one in her family to finish college. She went to the University of Nebraska where she earned a bachelor's and master's degree in education. Her education taught her the importance of fighting for the rights of others. She married her husband Bernie and they soon moved to Idaho where four of her five children were born.  The house was full of activity and love. It soon became the neighborhood home where you could find several local kids!  A favorite memory was chocolate pancakes that she would make after swimming practice in the summer.  She developed a lifelong love of sports while raising her very active children. She was involved in Girls Scouts, 4-H, CCD, and the American Association of University Women.  Marlene also was active in marching for the Equal Rights Amendment.
In the early 1980s, the family moved to Beaverton, Oregon for Bernie's job. After a career break raising kids, Marlene jumped back into the teaching profession. Marlene taught science in the Catholic parochial school system and additionally Portland Public Schools. In Idaho and in Oregon, she made lifelong friends, shared her bountiful garden produce, and threw legendary parties! During one feast, Marlene's guests were found lying on the floor taking "short shallow breaths" because they had eaten too much!
Marlene approached life with an open and optimistic attitude. Her Catholic faith was very important to her. When she met people, she respected them as individuals regardless of their varied backgrounds. Marlene would reach out to anyone in need as her heart knew no boundaries. She was brave, forthright, and resilient. Her generosity of spirit reflected her personal values of integrity and hard work in pursuing a meaningful life.
Marlene led an adventurous existence as well!  Her many enthusiasms included traveling the world.  Among her adventures, she took a train trip to the Devil's Nose in the Andes of Ecuador.  A favorite memory is of her flinging her backpack up the ladder to get to the top of the train and exclaiming, "I'm just trying to keep up with my daughters!"  She learned Spanish in her fifties, and loved watching birds and stars. She grew beautiful flowers for weddings, hand stitched velvet bridesmaid dresses, and was even known to pick fresh raspberries to make scrumptious sauces for wedding cakes. Marlene was a fantastic cook and always could feed an army at any gathering. She was a geology hound, collecting thousands of rocks along the way.  In retirement, she bought an amazing telescope to watch the stars, and enjoyed seeing a total eclipse in 2017.
Marlene was a purveyor of good will. She was remarkably beautiful inside and out. She was blessed with intelligence and deep insight, but also exemplified humility and modesty. She hated cruelty in any form, and her prime attributes included moral courage, curiosity, and adventurousness. However, her greatest achievement was her family. An abiding dedication to her family was an essential thread that ran through her life. She was always there in their times of need, always with her deep love and support.
Preceding her in death was her beloved husband of almost 61 years, Bernie, and her oldest daughter Rose Anne. She is survived by her adult children Andy, Nancy, Linda, and Patrick (Ann). Also, her sisters Margaret Ann Kolar, Mary Lou Cords, and Germaine Sylliaasen. Our Mom was especially fond of her grandchildren, Abby and Oscar, and cherished time spent with them. She leaves behind a legacy of love and strength. Her family will greatly miss her but are comforted knowing that she is at peace.
The family is deeply grateful to the staff at St. Vincent Hospital and team of cardiologists, Doctors, and Nurses for their compassionate care for Marlene.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Rose Anne Kavan scholarship at the University of Idaho:
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Please fill in Designation: DE805 Rose Anne Kavan Memorial Scholarship