Marlene Joyce Strissel passed away peacefully on April 1, 2026, in Post Falls, Idaho, at the age of 86. She was born in Salinas, California to Richard and Helen Stout, and shortly afterward, her parents relocated to Washington. In 1958, she graduated from Seattle’s Highline High School. In 1960, she met her husband, Richard (Dick) Strissel, on a blind date, and they were married in 1961.The couple raised their three children in Bellevue and Issaquah. In 1998, after Dick’s retirement as a Boeing engineer, they moved to Henry’s Lake, Idaho.

As a loving mother and homemaker, Marlene’s kids remember coming home from school to the smells of baking bread and cookies. As a mom and grandma, Marlene blessed her family with many hand-sewn quilts, knitted sweaters, mittens, hats, scarves--sentimental keepsakes which will be passed down. In her later years, she accumulated yarn, knitted A LOT of socks, enjoyed coloring, crosswords and word searches. She was always an avid reader, enjoyed mysteries and regularly read at least two newspapers a day. As an occasional student, she enjoyed studying the German language. Although Marlene’s memory was failing in recent years, she was known by the residents and staff in her community at Garden Plaza for her cheerful sense of humor.

Marlene’s Christian faith and church stewardship were very important to her, and both she and Dick were very active in their church communities, including Christ the King Lutheran Church in Bellevue, where Marlene was involved in many bible studies, altar guild, cooking for weekly youth programs and singing in the church choir. The couple formed many long-term friendships from their membership at Christ the King.

Marlene is survived by her children: Kristen Strissel, Lisa Chidiac (Carl), and Rick Strissel (Tracy); her grandchildren: Joe Chidiac (MaKaley), Tony Chidiac (Megan), Annemarie Bubion (Matt), Ava Strissel and Rose Strissel; and her great grandchildren: Ellie Chidiac, Hawken Chidiac, Callie Jo Chidiac, Jamesy Chidiac, Jack Chidiac, Jordan Chidiac, Isaiah Bubion and Naomi Bubion (born 4/9/26). She is also survived by her brother, Terril (Joe) Stout. Her husband, Dick Strissel, predeceased her in 2008.

The family invites you to share memories at Bell Tower Funeral Home www.belltowerfuneralhome.com. Remembrances can be made to North Hospice of Idaho which provided compassionate care to Marlene these past few months. www.hospiceofnorthidaho.org. No date has been set yet for a celebration of life.