Marilyn Martha Ankerson

Marilyn Martha Ankerson was born at home to Floyd and Ruth McDonald on January 16, 1936 and joined her heavenly Father on September 2, 2023. Marilyn lived in Spokane, Washington on Greenbluff where early on she attended a one room schoolhouse. She proved to be an excellent student even skipping a grade before moving on to Arlington School. At Arlington, Marilyn made lifelong friends with a group of girls from her homeroom class and continued meeting with them throughout her lifetime. In the most recent years, the group met once a month for lunch. One of their favorite places to meet was under the gorgeous maple tree in Marilyn’s front yard. Next came John Rogers High School where she graduated with the January class of 1953. She loved school and many of the activities involved with it. She participated in social club, choir, and Pirettes while eventually becoming head majorette.

After graduation, Marilyn worked for Marshall-Wells Company where she met and married Raymond Ankerson. Ray and Marilyn had three children whom she adored beyond measure. Lori was born in 1956, Gary in 1958, and Kay in 1964. Her children were her greatest joy and she spent much of her life dedicated to supporting their interests and encouraging their success. She drove her children to music lessons, band concerts, dance classes, horse shows, and athletic events. She volunteered at school as a room mom and PTSA member. The needs of her children came before her own but she wouldn’t have had it any other way.

In addition, Marilyn was a wonderful homemaker who worked tirelessly for her family. She always prepared delicious dinners, canned endless amounts of fruits and vegetables, sewed beautiful clothes, costumes and a variety of decorative items for the home. Holidays and birthday parties were always memorable because of mom’s special touches. In addition, Marilyn was a talented oil painter and she also enjoyed refurbishing furniture even before it was popular. She had an artist’s eye and liked using her creativity to enhance her surroundings.

Once her children were mostly grown, she went back to work for Vera Water and Power Company for eighteen years, serving as a receptionist and later as a secretary for the conservation department. She retired in 1994 and later watched two of her grandchildren, Garrett and Jordan, as a doting Nana whose loving influence cannot be replaced.

Marilyn was many things to many people. Whether you knew her as a family member, friend or colleague, you knew she loved the Lord and wanted everyone to love him as well. She lost her precious son, Gary, unexpectedly in 2018. She was absolutely heartbroken, but even then, she showed her strength, perseverance and trust in the Lord.

Throughout her life she struggled with a wide variety of ailments and illnesses, however, you would not hear her complain. She continued to find clever ways to help herself and overcome medical obstacles. Although her body was failing, her mind continued to be sharp until the end of her life. She lived in her own home, taking care of herself until January of this year when she decided to move to an assisted living facility. This is especially amazing as she became ill with sepsis nine years earlier, was on a ventilator twice and had to go on dialysis. It took six months in the hospital and rehab to return home. She was also able to get off dialysis which is unheard considering her doctor told her he had only two patients in over twenty years that got off of dialysis. Her story was one of inspiration at Sunshine Gardens Health Care Facility, where she recovered from sepsis. She was called “The Miracle” and continued to be a legend to the workers there for years. After returning home from sepsis, she had a renewed lease on life and said the next few years were some of the best of her life. She planted a garden, grew gorgeous flowers on her deck and embraced her Lord and Savior with a new enthusiasm. One of her favorite pastimes was listening to a variety of sermons on the radio and then discussing them with her brothers, particularly Roger, on the phone.

As time went on, Marilyn could not keep up with the physical demands of her home and that is when she moved to an assisted living home. After a short illness in the hospital and then at Sunshine Gardens Health Facility, she passed away peacefully after saying her goodbyes to her dear and precious family.

She is preceded in death by her son, Gary Ankerson, former husband, Raymond Ankerson, sisters Lois Leuthold and Evelyn DeStefano, brothers Floyd, Richard, Gary and Roger McDonald. Also, nephews David Leuthold, Barry, Doug, and Lane McDonald. Marilyn is survived by children Lori Rice, Kay Anderson (Kris), daughter in law Marcia Ankerson, grandchildren Eric (Arin) Rice, Brad (Jaque) Rice, Joshua and Jacob Ankerson, Jordan (Ryan) Zumwalt, Garrett Schmerer and Levi (Shelby) Anderson. Great grandchildren Ayla and Hayden Rice, Evie Rice, and Sloane and Hadley Zumwalt as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at Thornhill Valley Chapel, 1400 S. Pines Rd. Spokane Valley, Washington on Friday, October 6th at 11:00 A.M.

Graveside burial will be held at Pines Cemetery after the service with a reception following at Darcy’s restaurant in the Spokane Valley.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Salvation Army or Union Gospel Mission.