Marlene L. "Branson" Klingel

Marlene L. Klingel, 88, of Russellville, KY passed away Tuesday, September 23, 2025 at her residence. The Roslyn, WA native was a daughter of the late Harry Branson and Mable Maria Bracato Branson. She began her long term career in the aircraft industry with Sunstrand and was a supervisor of Ground Proximity Warning System, supervisor of assembly of flight data records and worked in Initial Run with the engineers designing the air launch cruise missiles. After completing this project, she was offered an opportunity in Resort Management and moved to Hawaii as part of the opening team for the biggest resort in the world, at the time, Kuai Westin Resort. After opening the resort, she returned to Boeing in Washington where she was chosen to join a team of 79 men (and the only woman) to work on Air Force One in Wichita, KS. She completed functional wiring tests on the cockpit, and after this project, she returned to Boeing's Washington location where she worked on the flight line until retirement. After retirement, she moved to Kentucky to be near her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Here, she volunteered to the Grandparent's Program with Logan County Schools until her health failed.

She is survived by 1 daughter: Cari Gilliam and husband, Mike, Russellville, KY;

1 brother: Paul Branson, Yuma, AZ;

2 sisters: Sandra Milham and husband, Kyle, Sequim, WA and Nancy Dean, Phoenix, AZ;

1 grandson: Travis Johnson and wife, Brittany;

4 great grandchildren: Bryson, Brianna, Marlena Grace and Isabella Johnson;

2 great great grandchildren: Beau Lee and Hudson Tate Johnson.

A private service will be held at a later date in Washington. Cremation was chosen and Goad Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.