Marna Dolores Nelson

Marna Dolores Nelson, 97.

Marna was a luminous soul who touched many with her caring heart. Marna was born on August 12, 1924, in Shelton Nebraska, and passed away on July 17, 2022.

From a young age, Marna dreamed of adventure and travel. She met her husband Glenn Brooking as he was headed off to fight in World War II. At the time, she clerked for a military office and would visit people living in the Japanese Interment Camp to talk with them because they were lonely and scared. Marna continued to extend her heart to others throughout her life by supporting missions and charities. Marna served as a small-town Postmaster in Heron, Montana for many years. She interacted with her community and participated in activities including square dancing and taught a Sunday School class. Marna was an avid gardener and she took pride in her raspberries and flowers. She loved teaching her grandkids about what native plants were edible and about the wild animals in the area. When Marna moved to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho she loved gathering with friends for lunch and meeting for Jubilee where she shared her passion for Jesus. Marna became a Christian in her 40’s and lived a vibrant life for Jesus for the rest of her days.

Her grandchildren remember going on Volksmarches and the peppermint candy Grandma always tucked away in her fanny pack; of the infectious giggle; her stubbornness, strength of character and mischievousness. They remember movie night with popcorn and hot tamales and game night with Skip-Bo or Rummy. Marna bestowed on each grandchild the gift of adventure. She took each of her 20 grandchildren on an individual, special trip. For each child she created a two-headed doll or sock-monkey on a treadle- foot sewing machine.

Marna loved cooking for her family but particularly enjoyed sharing a meal with a favorite movie or taking a dish to a potluck at church. She also enjoyed puzzles. Many of the puzzles depicted chickens or places her grandchildren visited. Marna found chickens delightful, and her house was adorned with a large collection of roosters.

Marna was preceded in death by Glenn Brooking, her husband of 38 year and the father of her 5 children. She was widowed by the deaths of Charles Stillwell, Robert Kenyon and Martin Nelson and preceded in death by her grandson, William Booth. Her children, Patricia Brooking, Nancy Johnson, Rodney Brooking (Debbie), Marta Walker (Max), and Monty Brooking (Glenda) and all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren will greatly miss her.

A celebration of life will be held on Thursday, July 21, 2022, at 2:00p.m. at New Life Church, 6068 Hayden Avenue, Rathdrum, ID.