Marlene Rene Rongholt Pelton

Rene was born September 1, 1953, in Renton, Washington. She was the daughter of Lloyd Alvin (Ronnie) Rongholt and Reatha Mae (Pat) Smith Rongholt. She attended school in the Renton School District, including Honey Dew Elementary, McKnight Jr. High and graduated from Hazen High School in 1971.

Born and raised in Renton, Rene lived there nearly her whole life. She lived for brief periods in Portland, OR, Lakewood, WA, Bellevue, WA and moved to Tenino in 2008.

In July, 1967, with her parents’ permission, Rene joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and has been an active member all her life. She has served in teaching and leadership positions in the Primary, Young Women’s and Relief Society organizations of the church. She has also served in the Special Mutual and as a Single Adult co-chair.

Her life-long best friend was Terri Nevin who lived just down the gravel road and in 1971 Rene married her childhood sweetheart, Terri’s brother, James Albert Nevin. The couple had two daughters Lori Elle and Heidi Eve. That marriage ended in 1976. In November, 1991, she married Douglas Boyd Pelton in the Seattle Temple of the LDS Church.

She was employed by the Boeing Company for over 30 years in various capacities and made lasting friendships in each of her assignments. Until she was physically unable, she participated in monthly dinner groups and holiday gatherings with several of her former co-workers.

She was passionate about gardening, sewing and quilting and created beautiful quilts of various sizes for friends and family members.

She was a loving and nurturing daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend. Her life was devoted to her family and friends. She will be dearly missed.

She is survived by her husband of 18 years, Douglas Boyd Pelton, of Tenino, daughters Lori Elle Hynum (Brian) of North Bend, WA, and Heidi Eve Redford (Don) of Vancouver, WA;11 grandchildren and 1 great grandson. Surviving siblings include sisters Denise Long (Gary) of Renton, WA, Jeannie Lurton (Evan) of Issaquah, WA, Diane Robertson of Eugene, OR, brothers Douglas Patterson of Ellensburg, WA, and David Patterson of Battleground, WA, step-brother Steve Jones (Janine) of Renton, WA..

She was predeceased by her parents Reatha Mae Rongholt in 1979 and Lloyd Rongholt in 1999.

A funeral service will be held at the May Valley Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 816 Field Ave NE, Renton, WA, 98056 at 11:00 am on Thursday, May 27th. Burial will be at the Greenwood Memorial Park.

The family thanks the doctors and staff of the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, the University of Washington Medical Center and the Providence Sound Home Care and Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance in Seattle would be appreciated.

Arrangements under the direction of Greenwood Funeral Home, Renton, WA.