Obituary: Van Tine, Marilyn Miller
Age 81
Marilyn was 81.
A Memorial Service will be held Monday, November 24th at 1:00 P.M. in the chapel of BRUNING FUNERAL HOME, Colfax.
Reception to follow at Events on Main.
Marilyn was born June 8, 1933 in Steptoe to George A. and Blondie O.
(Stairet) Miller.
She attended schools in Garfield and graduated from Garfield High School in 1951.
She attended the Kelsey Baird Business School in Spokane for a time and then moved back to Colfax in 1955.
Marilyn married Robert Earl “Bob” Van Tine March 17, 1956 at his parents’ home in Clarkston, Washington.
They farmed in the Elberton area their whole married life.
Marilyn enjoyed baking for others and was an excellent farm cook, often preparing lots of food for harvest crews.
She and Bob were very active with the Palouse Empire Fair where Marilyn often kept time at the rodeo events.
Marilyn worked as a nurse’s assistant at the St. Ignatius Hospital (and later at Whitman Hospital) from 1955 through 1972.
She was an impeccable housekeeper and kept her hospital wards the same way.
Later she worked as a teaching assistant for the Colfax School District from 1973-1978.
Her husband Bob died September 17, 1981 and Marilyn continued living at the farm until 1985 when she moved to Kennewick, WA.
She married Walt Johnson of Kennewick and they operated Johnson Plumbing of which Marilyn was the bookkeeper.
She kept records as well as she kept her home; impeccably.
They later divorced but always remained good friends.
She returned to Colfax and spent her time enjoying friends and family.
Spending time with her grandchildren was always high on her list of priorities.
She was also a sports lover and liked to follow the Seahawks, Zags, Lakers and faithfully attended her grandchildren’s events.
Marilyn is survived by her sons Rick Van Tine (Stephanie) of Colfax and Ron Van Tine (Evan) of Kennewick; four grandchildren, Kendra (Mike) Zupan of Portland, Kelsie Van Tine, Seattle, Wyatt Van Tine of Lancaster, WA and Cheyenne Van Tine, Kennewick and by three great-grandchildren, Anna, Stella and Milo Zupan.
In addition to her husband Bob she was preceded in death by her parents and an infant sister.
The family suggests memorial gifts be made to the Bethel Cemetery in Steptoe or to the Colfax Schools Foundation.
On-line guest book is at www.bruningfuneralhome.com