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Marlene Stam Obituary
MARLENE JOANN STAM
August 3, 1934 ˜ May 2, 2023
Marlene JoAnn Stam, born in Modale, IA, on Aug. 3, 1934, died at her home in Vancouver, WA, on May 2, 2023, surrounded by family and friends.
Marlene, the daughter of Carl and Doris (nee Kinart) Warner, left Iowa and came to the Vancouver area as a young child, spending most of her life here. She graduated from Evergreen High School in 1952, married Airman Lloyd Gillas (deceased) and bore a daughter (Deborah LoAnn Gillas) at Lakeland Air Force base in San Antonio, TX. Moving back to Washington, she raised her daughter here, seeing Debbie also graduating from Evergreen High School.
Marlene eventually found her true love in Myron (“Tiny”) Stam, whom she married in 1982. Tiny preceded Marlene in death in 2010, but her love for him never dimmed, to the end, she expressed that love daily. Tiny was her rock and Marlene was Tiny’s angel, it was truly a love made in heaven, and, now, rejoined in heaven.
Marlene’s brother, Jim, preceded Marlene in death. Marlene is survived by her daughter, Debbie Whitt (Chuck); her grandchildren, Josh Yost and Dusti Weber; four great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren. As Marlene fully adopted Tiny’s family, she is also survived by Tiny’s children, Debbie Benbow (Barry), Shawnee (Arnold) and Myron; seven grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.
Marlene’s passing leaves a hole in all of our hearts, but that giant hole is surrounded by a deep love, which will forever assuage the passing of a truly wonderful woman. Godspeed, Marlene, we will always love you.
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Memories and Condolences
for Marlene Stam
3 Entries
Starr Lara
May 7, 2023
I shall miss Marlene forever. She was Momma Marlene to me. She took care of me when I was a child, and rescued from a bad home.
She was so good to me.
Starr Lara
May 7, 2023
Marlene cared for me as a young teen of thirteen. My sister and I were legal orphans since I was three and my sister was four. She was good to me when I was a child, taught me how to bake, welcomed me into her home like her own. She showered me with love and affection, and was so kind to me when I needed it the most. She was good to my sister too. She even sewed clothes for us.
She had beautiful cursive writing . She got A´s in penmanship and it showed.
We were reunited in later years, and we shared many happy times together.
I will miss and love her forever.
Your "daughter"
Starr
Chuck Whitt
May 4, 2023
Dearest Marlene, since we first met in 1996, you have been nothing but gracious to me, but as I came to find out, that was just who you were.
I'm going to miss you terribly, you have been the best mother-in-law that a man could ask for. You accepted me as part of your family and never looked back. And that has been the greatest gift I have ever received (other than your daughter saying "yes".
I hope that you find yourself with "Tiny", that your mother greeted you upon your arrival. I hope the pain is gone and that you are now truly in paradise.
I love you. I will always love you. You were and are the best.
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