Marla Kay Attwood

Marla Kay Attwood (Blondie), aged 77, of Pinewood Springs, Colorado passed away from heart failure on November 27, 2024. Marla was born on October 18, 1947 in Dickinson North Dakota.

Marla grew up in Dickinson, ND and graduated from Trinity High School in 1965. Upon graduation she started working as a telephone operator. Marla moved to Denver, CO in 1967 and began her banking career working at the Federal Reserve bank and then the United bank of Denver. During that time period she met the love of her life, James Attwood and they married on June 20, 1970.

The Attwood’s moved to Pinewood Springs in 1978 with their two young daughters, Kelly and Sarah. Marla worked faithfully as a fixture of the community at the First National bank of Estes Park (now the Bank of Estes Park) for 32 years and eventually retired as a vice president.

Marla loved music and attended endless music festivals and concerts with Jim throughout her life. She loved to bake, and her batches of chocolate chip cookies became famous among Jim’s work friends. Marla’s grandchildren enjoyed batches of her banana chocolate chip “grandma muffins” as well as her giant birthday cookies.

Marla loved all things about the Native American culture; she enjoyed going to markets and pow wows, drum circles and dances, as well as treasuring many unique souvenirs, including pottery and jewelry which she collected. In the spirit of the native west, Marla set up a tepee to enjoy outside on her and Jim’s own property. She also enjoyed crafts such as needlepoint, cross stitching, embroidery, and crocheting. Marla really loved a good book, shopping, nature walks, a good glass of wine and watching old episodes of Gunsmoke. Marla had many good friends, cared for her neighbors and community, and was a very social person; she enjoyed lunching with her friends and was a member of the Red Hat society for few years.

Above all, Marla was a giver, always putting others above herself. She not only spoiled her friends, daughters, and grandchildren with cards and treats in the mail, but she also gave freely to people she didn’t even know. She always had a heart for the Native American children and devotedly donated to their schools, including Red Cloud, St Bonaventure and St Lebre. Marla also donated recurringly to the USO, Paralyzed Vets, Disabled American Vets, Wounded Warriors Vets, St Jude and many more.

Marla is survived by her husband of nearly 55 years, James Attwood, her daughter Sarah Douglas, Sarah’s husband Jake Douglas and their children Noah, Mary and Justin Douglas. She is preceded in death by, and joins; her father Corless Willette, mother Marion Allen, sister Mary Lou Baumhover, brother Fr Donald Willette, and daughter Kelly Lewis.

Marla was an earth angel and now she flies among the angels in heaven, she will be greatly missed.