Marlene Marie Keith

Marlene Marie Keith
October 17, 2025
Marlene Marie Keith of Quincy, WA died on 10/17/2025 at the age of 88, reuniting in heaven with the love of her life.
Marlene was born to Thomas and Bessie Hawes in Centralia, WA in 1937. Marlene grew up in areas of southwest Washington, where she attended Eatonville High School and later moved to the Tacoma area where she met and eventually married her soulmate, Arvid Keith.
Marlene and Arvid were married on 3/25/1961 and began their lives together in Spanaway, WA. In 1976, they purchased their dream home on 150 acres in Onalaska, WA, where they spent the remainder of their years together raising their family, along with hundreds of horses, cows, sheep, chickens, pigs and assorted other farm animals.
Marlene was a wonderful homemaker who loved collecting antiques, restoring old furniture, harvesting a massive vegetable garden, maintaining a yard full of roses and other beautiful types of flowers all while raising a family and doing everything she could to support and assist Arvid and his small-town general contractor business.
Marlene and Arvid would never pass up a garage sale, they attended church services together every Sunday morning and evening, loved spending time with family and friends and were completely devoted to each other and their children.
Marlene's later years were spent in Quincy, WA, where she spent her time visiting and reuniting with her siblings, chatting on the phone with old friends and family members and sharing stories of her life well lived.
Marlene was preceded in death by Arvid in June 1990, and her sons Matthew who passed in April 2014 and Lemuel who passed in October 2007. Marlene is survived by her son Benjamin of Pasco, WA and daughter Jonna of Phoenix, AZ, her sister Luann Allison of Saluda, SC, sister Nancy Albright of West Richland, WA, brother Benjamin Hawes of Quincy, WA, sister Donna Pelham of Marlin, WA and dozens of cherished grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Marlene will always be remembered for the care and love she demonstrated for her family and friends, her complete devotion to her husband and her commitment to living a strong, Christian life.
Marlene will be laid to rest next to Arvid at the Alpha Cemetery in Onalaska in the spring of 2026.
Please express your thoughts and memories for the family at www.scharbachs.com