Arlene Marian WYENE

1937 - 2022

Arlene Marian Wyene was born in Spokane, Washington, at Sacred Heart Hospital on October 10th, 1937 to Walter and Marian Wyene. As a child, she loved to fish with her dad and play the piano, which she could play by ear. Arlene attended Lewis and Clark High School. She was a majorette and a member of the bowling team. Arlene had lived a very fascinating life. In the late fifties, she moved to San Francisco, California, with her husband and first son Rickey. There she worked as a hostess at the Purple Onion. She met numerous iconic stars, throughout the sixties, such as comedians the Smothers Brothers, The Irish Rovers, Bob Hope, Phyllis Diller, and Jim Neighbors. While living in the bay area she made numerous friends, including Maureen Elfman, whom she considered family to the end. During this adventure, she gave birth to three more children, Shawn, Kelly, and Jeff. In 1967 the family packed up and moved back to Washington, selling their beloved house near the ocean. Arlene always felt she "Left her Heart in San Francisco" and spent many vacations on the ocean during her extensive travels, throughout the years.

Arlene's children were her joy, and she was very active in their lives. She was a den mother to pack #289, and participated in Ham on Regal, at Ferris High School, among many other sports and activities. After having her fifth child Ryan, Arlene put herself through nursing school. She worked at Sacred Heart Hospital, and Pacific Regent, among other clinics in the Pacific Northwest. Arlene also co-owned and operated Lincoln Heights Pharmacy, on Spokane's south hill for many years.

In 1989, Arlene met and married the love of her life, James Louis Knebusch, and relocated to Yakima, Washington. Jim and Arlene spent their days, working hard, traveling, gardening, entertaining, and hosting large family events for their combined ten children and their families. Arlene always had a camera in her hand, creating memories and scrapbooks for her family. Arlene loved life until the end. She always dreamed of one more trip to Hawaii and being surrounded by family. Arlene passed peacefully on November 7th, 2022, surrounded by those who loved her.

Arlene was survived by her children: Rickey Meagley; Shawn (Kimberly) Parkey; Kelly Parkey; Jeff (Cindy) Parkey; Ryan (Marlena) Martin; stepchildren: James (Laurie) Knebusch; Jackie (Bill) Ruiz; Jon (Teri) Knebusch; her grandchildren: Brittnie (Dan, 3 great-grandchildren); Mark; Elizabeth (Steve, 3 great-grandchildren); Trent; Savanah; Brooklyn; Jared (Cheryl, 4 great-grandchildren); Tavi (2 great-grandchildren); Kalie (Michael, 2 great-grandchildren) Delainey, Morgan, Joseph, Kayla (Thomas, 1 great-grandchild); Hayleemae; Hannajo; James; Jared; Christina (John, 3 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandchild); Dylan; Lurian; Nathan (Zuly) and Parker (mother Carrie Cecka). nieces and nephew: Michelle; Colleen; Caroline; Annette; Susie and Michael and numerous great nieces and nephews.

Arlene was preceded in death by her beloved husband James; her stepson Marty; her parents Walter and Marion; her sister Sharon, her brother and sister-in-law Ronnie and Harriett, and her nephew Kenneth.

A memorial service for Arlene will be held Saturday, December 10th, 2022 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at Hazen & Jaeger Valley Funeral Home, 1306 N Pines Rd, Spokane Valley, WA 99206.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Kauai Forest Bird Recovery Project (Kauaiforestbirds.org)