Marlene Ann Spanjer

Marlene Ann Spanjer, longtime resident of Cheney and our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, peacefully passed away June 9, 2025, in Spokane, Washington, after a long struggle with Alzheimer's disease. She was 89.
Marlene was born on January 25th, 1936, in Colfax, Wa, to Harry and Ida Helm. She graduated from Lewis & Clark High School in 1954. Marlene met Bob Spanjer while working as a lifeguard at Fish Lake in 1953, and they were inseparable from that time until his death from cancer in 2011. After high school, Marlene went to college at WSU in Pullman. She was always a huge Coug fan. She was married to Bob in July 1955. After their wedding, Bob and Marlene worked for Lakeland Village until they started their family in Cheney in 1957.
In 1965, the Spanjer family moved to Sprague, Wa, where Bob managed a John Deere dealership and Marlene raised 5 children. After 10 great years, the family moved back to the homestead near Cheney.
Marlene worked for EWU and was a realtor for Tibbet's Realty. She later used her real estate experience to build and sell several homes Southwest of Cheney. Bob and Marlene enjoyed traveling throughout the U.S. and Canada, living the rural life, and making real estate improvements.
Bob and Marlene acquired a vacation home in Thompson Falls, Mt, where they made many joyful memories, boating on the Clark Fork River or watching it peacefully flow by.
Marlene was always artistic and creative and enjoyed painting, sewing, collecting, and displaying her antiques.
After Bob's passing, Marlene met her friend and companion, Jerry Jantz of Cheney, with whom she enjoyed many years of travels and adventures.
In 2014, Marlene moved to a gated community on Spokane's South Hill, where she enjoyed over 10 years with wonderful neighbors. Jerry visited there daily, where they enjoyed meals and board games. In 2017, Jerry and Marlene took a grand trip to Europe, where they visited her ancestral homes.
Marlene loved her family and friends, and her house was always open to visits from anyone.
Marlene is survived by her children Raymond (Pat) of Cheney, Ronald (Shirley) of Stanwood, Wa, Gregory (Diane) of Mt. Vernon, Wa, Laura Sell (Kevin) and Lynda Tschabold of Spokane; 14 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Special thanks to the staff at Ciel Memory Care, Horizon Hospice, and to all her friends in the Cheney/Sprague area for their friendship & prayers. Memorial contributions may be made to St. John Lutheran Church (Latah or Sprague) or the Alzheimer's Association.
A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 14, at CHENEY FUNERAL CHAPEL, CHENEY, WA, followed by a burial at Spokane Memorial Gardens Cemetery.