Kenneth Allen "Ken" Marshall

In Loving Memory
Kenneth Allen Marshall
Kenneth Allen "Ken" Marshall, a longtime resident of Chewelah, passed away and went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on February 27, 2023. Ken passed away in Chewelah, Washington in Providence St. Joseph's Hospital while in Comfort Care. Ken was born on July 27, 1942 to Ralph and Viola (Dolittle) Marshall in Colville, Washington.
Ken was raised in Chewelah, spending his formative years hunting and fishing. This passion for the outdoors continued throughout his whole life. Ken was a 12-year senior graduate from Jenkins High School in Chewelah, Washington, graduating with the class of 1960. Following graduation, Ken made the decision to serve his country in the United States Marine Corps. During his time in the Marines, Ken was stationed in Concord, California, working as an MP. While stationed in California in 1963, Ken would meet the love of his life, Frances "Fran" Catalano, being joined in marriage on April 25, 1964.
August of that same year brought the end of Ken's military service, and he and his new bride would make their way to his hometown of Chewelah, where they would settle down. That winter Ken made an income trapping Beaver and selling their pelts. After this Ken would start working at the Magnesite plant until its closing. Ken and Fran would also start their family, welcoming three children along the way.
The family would spend a few years moving around before returning to Chewelah; Ken worked as a farmhand on a wheat ranch, for two years, in Lacrosse, Washington, and then an opportunity came to move to Lake Quinault, Washington working in a cedar mill. During Ken's time in Quinault, he also logged and was an independent shake boarder. After eight years in Quinault, another opportunity arose to move to St. Maries, Idaho. Here Ken would work as a loader operator in a cedar mill, until moving back to Chewelah.
Following their return to Chewelah, Ken would begin a 23-year career with Alcoa. Ken's career with Alcoa was filled with accolades, he was awarded several times for his safety track record, which he took great pride in, and was even given an award for consistently being a morale booster on the jobsite. Even on their 12-hour shifts, Ken would laugh, tell jokes, and even perform skits. Ken's lighthearted attitude was carried with him through everything he did in life. During this time, around 1988, Ken also reaffirmed his faith.
Once he had retired, Ken had more time than ever before to devote to his hobbies and family. Ken an avid gardener, with bountiful harvests that he was always willing to share with family, friends, and the community. For 30 years, Ken ran his snowplow, as a hobby and as a business, while doing so serving his community and helping everyone around him. Ken was always willing to lend a hand to anyone who was in need. Ken was also a very caring grandfather to 7 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren, taking every opportunity to joke and build memories with them. Each of the kids being rocked by grandpa in his one and only rocking chair.
Ken was preceded in death by his father, Ralph Marshall; his mother, Viola Marshall; step-father, Brougham Thompson; three siblings, Gene Marshall, George Marshall, and Helen (John) Diedrich; son-in-law, Kenn Peters; brother-in-law, Harry Erdman.
He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Frances "Fran" Marshall; his children, Karla Peters and Allen Marshall of Chewelah, and LeeAnna (James) Morris of Centralia, his grandchildren, Elise (Nicholas) Haag of Bonney Lake, William (Alexis) Peters of Chewelah, and James Marshall of Pullman, Brittney (Jesse) Aurtry of Onalaska, Kaleb and Dalton Morris of Centralia, and Samson Marshall of Chewelah; his brothers, Jerry Marshall, Donnie (Grace) Marshall, Ralph (Leah) Marshall, Darolyn Erdman, Larry (Liz) Marshall, along with his 9 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom will miss his kind heart and amazing sense of humor.
A celebration of life will be held at Bustin' Loose Cowboy Ministries on Saturday, April 22, 2023, at 11:00 am. The address is 2221 Sand Canyon Rd, Chewelah, WA, 99109. His ashes will be placed at Chewelah Memorial Park after the celebration of life. A luncheon will follow at the American Legion Post #54 in Chewelah.
Visit the on-line memorial and sign his guestbook at www.danekasfuneralchapel.com. Danekas Funeral Chapel is entrusted with the arrangements.