Marlene Anne Ely, 87, a Centralia resident, passed away on Monday, Nov. 7, 2022. Marlene was born on Oct. 27, 1935, to William and fiAlice Peterson in Litchfield, Minnesota. She was the youngest of five siblings. Marlene and her family moved to Centralia while she was in elementary school. She went on to be a top 10 graduate of Centralia High School. Marlene married her high school sweetheart, Gary Ely, on Aug. 18, 1956. They went on their very first date to Gary’s junior prom. They were married for 47 years. Marlene spent her career working for Weyerhaeuser and then North Fork Timber.
Marlene had a vibrant social life and enjoyed playing bridge, bowling, flower gardening, traveling and volunteering at the Providence Centralia Hospital Gift Shop. She’s remembered by her family as a caring and supportive Mom and Nana, and for making the best apple pie. Marlene was preceded in death by her husband, Gary; her parents, William and Alice; her siblings, June, Wildes, Allen and Wendell; and her great-grandson, Eli. Marlene is survived by her children Karen (Tom) Alderson, Lori (Tom) Gallo and Cary (Paige) Ely; seven grandchildren, Katie Anderson, Alex Alderson, Miranda Crawford, Jen Kilzer, Mallory Lindstrom, Courtney Swanson and Vinnie Gallo; and eleven great-grandchildren, Issac, Max, Tyson, Reese, Julia, Macy, Caleb, Miles, Claire, Halle and Odin. The family will hold a private service. Donations may be made in Marlene’s memory to her favorite charity, Seattle Children’s Hospital.
