Marlene Hein

Apr 11, 2024

Marlene Hein died on April 11, 2024, after an illness requiring hospitalization and brief period on hospice, shortly after her 85th birthday. She was preceded in death by her husband of over 50 years, Michael Hein, who passed away in 2021. Marlene is survived by her three sons, Michael, Tony and Mathew, along with seven grandchildren.

Growing up initially in the Chicago, Ill., area, Marlene subsequently moved to San Francisco, Calif., with her family. She spent some summer months with family relatives in Mexico as well.

She enjoyed her nursing career in San Francisco, where she met her future husband, Michael Hein. As the story goes, upon their meeting, she dressed him down for something minor thinking he was a new intern not knowing he was the chief resident of surgery. Later on, Michael would be the one to propose with the marriage plan to move from California to Alaska. The great adventure began.

They both enjoyed the uniqueness of Alaska's nature, wildlife and vistas. Often, they would send family in the Lower 48 pictures of salmon and halibut being prepared in the summer and moose walking in the backyard in the winter.

In their later years, Marlene and Mike moved to Arizona, which they enjoyed together especially the sunrises and sunsets. Later, after Michael's passing, while Marlene was residing in the Silver Springs assisted living facility, she enjoyed the staff, residents and especially the food. Among the staff, she was wonderfully known as a "talker" who shared a plethora of stories about family and from a life well-lived.

In the words of one of her son's elementary school projects from years ago, Marlene was: "cheerful; loving; caring, always helping others; full of life and happiness … helping with homework; listening to petty problems; giving advice; has a beautiful smile; has hypnotic eyes that will make you relax when you are telling a problem …" Those qualities held true until the end of her mortal life.

The family appreciates your prayers and intentions.