Marlys Ann Lance passed at home in Coldspring, Texas, after a 5-year battle with congestive heart failure. She was born to Eric and Cleo Schaler in Tacoma, Washington. Marlys was raised on a farm in North Dakota along with her 4 siblings. They raised or grew almost all their own food. It was quite a feat for a family of 7. She had many great stories of fighting the snow and the shenanigans of her brothers. After graduating high school she met and married her husband Larry in Washington in 1956. They had their first child in WA then had 3 more children after moving to Portland Oregon. In 1970 she and the family then moved to Denver Colorado. She lived in Colorado until being diagnosed with congestive heart failure.
Marlys was a gifted musician and often played piano and organ for her church. She never learned to read music but could hear a song then sit down to play it. She could play any instrument if she didn’t have to blow into it. Her and her sisters often sang in three part harmony at church or events in her home town of Hamilton North Dakota. She was the last surviving sibling of her direct family.
Marlys was a daughter, sister, aunt, wife, cousin, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother. She lived 86 years and was a wife for 43 years (until widowed), mother of 4 for 66 years, grandmother of 6 for 46 years, great grandmother of 8 for 25 years and nearly 2 years as a great-great-grandmother. Marlys lost her youngest son Jon to illness in February of this year. She is survived by: daughter Kim and son in law Richard, son Joe and daughter in law Andrea and daughter Lorrie. Grandchildren: Michelle and husband Heath, Danielle and husband Brad, Chris and wife Kelby, Avie and husband Nick, Sally and Donnie. Great grandchildren: Samantha and husband Austin, Shaya, Izyk, Ethan, Kynzlie, Isla, Jackson and Leila. Great-great grandson: Theodore. Plus numerous nieces and nephews.
Marlys loves Jesus and her faith kept her comforted during the trying times in her life. She always loved to drive, sometimes too fast. She drove farm trucks starting at age 12, before getting her license at age 14. Music and church were her passions but most of all she loved and cherished her family. Her sense of humor was a blessing to us all. She left a large family legacy that we will carry with us for the rest of our lives.