Marlene Charneski

30-Nov-09

Marlene Charneski Obituary Entered into rest on Monday, November 30, 2009 at the Hospice House of Spokane. Marlene was born in Spokane, Washington to Frederick and Minnie Uttke. Marlene graduated from Rogers High School in 1953. She was a member of the marching band and also played tennis, basketball and softball. In 1957 she graduated from Whitworth College with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry. While at Whitworth she played both tennis and basketball. Also in 1957 she graduated from the Deaconess Hospital School of Medical Technology. She worked as a nationally certified Medical Technologist in the Deaconess Medical Center Laboratory for 50 plus years. Growing up in a family owned and operated Fuel Company Marlene learned many skills which she used throughout her lifetime: operation/maintenance of trucks and related equipment, customer relations including taking orders and scheduling deliveries, and office procedures to include record keeping and accounting. As a member of the Hobnailers Hiking Club she hiked over 12,500 miles. She kept the mileage record for the club for 40 years. She hiked from the Teton Mountains in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west and from the Canadian Glacier Park in the north to Redfish Lake and Idaho's Sawtooth Mountains in the south. Marlene was a member of the American Volkssport Association and the Lilac City Volkssport Club. She walked over 5,000 kilometers on about 500 events throughout Washington, Idaho and western Montana. She also attended and did walks at national and regional conclaves in Colorado, Oregon, California and Alaska. Her hobbies/interests included small engine repair, rock hounding (digging for star garnets in Idaho, sapphires in Montana, smoky quartz in northwest Washington and polished and faceted gem stones), stamp collecting, fishing, golfing, bowling and enjoyed watching sports especially her son and grandchildren. She also enjoyed gardening. She is survived by her husband Larry Charneski; son and daughter-in-law Lance and Sherri Charneski; granddaughter Courtney Charneski; grandson Ryyan Kernkamp; brother and sister-in-law Frederick and Sandra Uttke and their children Scott, Deborah and James. The celebration of life ceremonies will be held on Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 11 a.m. at Heritage Funeral Home and officiated by Pastor Happy Watkins. In lieu of flowers please donate to: The Dishman Hills Natural Area Association, 3415 S. Lincoln Dr., Spokane, WA 99203 or Hospice of Spokane, PO Box 2215, Spokane, WA 99210.