Marvel Lurell Greenley

Marvel Lurell Greenley Dec. 21, 1925 - May 1, 2011 Marvel Lurell Greenley died on Sunday, May 1 at 7:30 am in her home in Boise Idaho. A memorial service will be held for her at the Cathedral of the Rockies Methodist Church, 747 N. 11th St, Boise, Friday, May 6, 2011 at 11:00am, under the direction of the Summers Funeral Home. Marvel was born on December 21, 1925 to Hans S. and Muriel I. Berg in Ventura, California. She attended Elementary, High School, and graduated from Ventura Junior College in 1946. During WWII, in addition to attending college, she worked at the Mira Loma Air Force Academy. She enrolled at San Jose State College in 1946 and graduated in 1948 with a B.A. in Education. During her second year at San Jose State she met her future husband Joe Greenley. A year later on February 23, 1947, they were married beginning a union which produced 5 wonderful children and lasted for 64 years. Marvels teaching career commenced immediately after she and Joe moved to Wren, Oregon in the summer of 1958 where Joe attended Oregon State College. Joe had a summer job with the Oregon Forestry Department as a Fire Warden, and Marvel taught six grades at the one room Wren Elementary School. The Forestry Guard Station provided them a home for the next two years ($25/mo. in the off fire season) and a school house 100 yards from their front door for her first job and thus contributing significantly to our financial support. Marvel and Joe moved to Smith Valley, Nevada after his graduation in 1950 for his job with the Nevada Fish and Game Department. She was pregnant at the time so teaching had to wait; however, teaching was now in her blood, particularly with small children, so she would invite local preschool children over to her yard for some free early learning, weather permitting. Marvel moved again in 1958 to Reno where Joe had a new job with N.F.&G.D. By this time they had five children, all born in Yerington Nevada. When all of these children were in school, she sought and was hired by Agnes Risley Elementary School of Sparks, Nevada and taught there from 1964-69. Again she became a significant contributor in supporting the family. In 1968 the family moved to Juneau, Alaska with four of the kids on a leave of absence from Nevada for a year. Again she sought and received a substitute teaching position. In 1971, Marvel, Joe and their two boys moved to Boise, Idaho for Joe's new job as Director of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. She concluded her teaching career at Lowell Elementary School in 1980. Her final moves were back to Reno, then to Wilsonville, Oregon and finally back to Boise. Marvel was a member of the First United Methodist Church serving on the Administrative Board in the past, and a member of Priscilla Circle. She was a member of Kappa Delta Pi (Honor Society in Education), Honored Queen of Jobs Daughters Bethel #79, Ventura, California; a member of Ladies Auxiliary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Smith Valley, Nevada, the Roger Williams Family Association of Rhode Island and was active with the Campfire Girls and Bluebirds youth organizations. A certificate of Recognition was presented to Marvel by Governor John V. Evans for serving the people of Idaho (as an Elementary school teacher) with distinction, loyalty and ability, and from Governor Cecil D. Andrus in recognition and appreciation of her outstanding volunteer service to the Idaho State Library Blind and Physically Handicapped Library Services Volunteer Recording Program. Marvel is survived by all of her five children: Johanna Crouch (Norman), Loretta Ponton (Bill), Rebecca Kissel (Kevin), Joe H Greenley (Bonnie) and Jeff Greenley (Judy), eight grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren and her beloved cat "Pootu". Some of the most pleasant times Marvel enjoyed were camping trips in the summer with all the kids and dog to Kennedy Lake in the Sierras as well as the National parks and especially Bruneau State Park which became an annual event. She enjoyed several cruises, and also a trip to England, Scotland and Norway, the origin of some of her ancestors. The Greenley family is very grateful to the staff of the Visiting Angels of Treasure Valley for her daily care and companionship, Valley View Life Care facility for their care and therapy, the staff of Legacy Home Health and Hospice for their expert care, comfort and equipment and subsequently, Summers Funeral Home to help us conclude a task so heart wrenching. We are extremely blessed to have these people available to us in this valley during these most trying times for any family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Idaho Humane Society, 4775 Dorman St, Boise or a charity of your choice.