Marlene Rogers

Leah “Marlene” McCarrel Rogers succumbed to a battle with a type of dementia on July 12, 2024. Although she fought hard, it was a battle she was not able to win.

Marlene came into this world on December 12, 1938, the fourth daughter in five years to Marvie and Lena McCarrel in McGill, Nevada. She was a breech birth and did not come easy, but she came fighting for her place in this world. Five years later came her beloved brother, Marvie Dean and five years after that another sister, Barbara was born.

It was a hard life in Nevada, her father worked in the Kennecott Copper Mine. When she turned 12 years old the family moved to Blackfoot, Idaho. Marlene was very proud to have been one of the 1st classes to graduate from the “newly” constructed Blackfoot High School.

Marlene married the love of her life on March 21, 1965, Lloyd Peter Rogers. Together they raised Brenda and Pete in Firth. They loved to travel and spent most weekends driving and traveling this great state of Idaho.

Marlene was a very big part of her community of Firth. She loved this town and everyone in it. She was instrumental in getting new playground equipment donated for the city park. She developed a summer SEICAA program for the community. She was proud to have served on the Firth City Council. She was also very involved in the Grand Peaks Boy Scout Council.

Marlene was a loyal member of the Riverview Grange for over 55 years. She probably served in every capacity or position. She was proud to help with the Little Buckaroo Rodeo for all those years. Working in the cookshack behind the scenes. Planning and organizing pinocle parties for so many years.

Marlene was a very hard worker. She worked at Woodard Brothers Potatoes for many years. She worked with so many people it is hard to list them all, but you know if you ever worked there. When Woodards shut down, she went to work for Collets.

She worked at Collets for several years much to the chagrin of her children. There was nothing worse than your mother knowing everything that you did. Marlene thought that Sam Collet was the greatest man in the world and a pleasure to work for. She loved being in the center of life in Firth, and that was Collets.

She and Lloyd together had the best job ever, Blackfoot River Campground Hosts. They did this for a few years and loved every minute of it. Zach spent his summers in the mountains with Grandpa and Grandma, checking all the campgrounds and restroom supplies.

Marlene was an incredible cook. She loved cooking and trying new recipes. It never failed when she brought a new dish to a family or church gathering, someone always asked for the recipe.

After Lloyd passed away, Marlene worked for a few years as a lunch lady in Groveland, Wapello, and Shelley. She loved children. Even though most teenagers and young adults would attest to fearing her, most small children and infants loved her.

Marlene and Jeanie Empey then went to work for the Firth Café. She was in her element and thoroughly loved it. She loved the connection to community. Serving people was her passion, cooking and serving. Many friendships were made and a lot of sass was dished out.

Marlene and her best friend Lena Olson got together every weekend until their health wouldn’t accommodate the visits anymore. Those two ladies were the best of friends throughout the years. They would get together and play pool and God help any man who tried to challenge them. They would tear them apart both in pool and with their wit. Lena’s family was Marlene’s extended family with many get-togethers and laughs.

Marlene was a member of the Red Hats Society. She served as the Sargent of Gloves under Queen Mother Luella Wetherbee and also under Queen Mother Larraine Shafer. Her Red Hat sisters were very important to her. She loved them all and the projects and comradery of belonging to such a group.

Marlene worked with Tina Keeling for a few years on the Stars for Our Troops. This incredible organization takes retired flags and utilizing the stars and a note thanking all service members and first responders for their service. She was always so proud to give back and support our service members.

Marlene was a proud member of Bethel Lutheran Church for over 40 years. She enjoyed Women’s Group, the Harvest Bazaar, making roquefort dressing, the Harvest Dinner, and participating in the Teacher’s Appreciation Breakfast. She spent many years in the Church Fair Booth serving and making pies at the EISF.

Marlene is preceded in death by her parents Sidney Marvie McCarrel and Lena Eliza Capson McCarrel; her husband Lloyd Peter Rogers; her siblings Vivian (Harry) Hedin; Joan (Darrell) Cottrell; Fern (Kay) Brown; Marvie Dean (Connie) McCarrell; and two children Kevin Brent McCarrel and Bruce Wayne Rogers.

Marlene is survived by one sister Barbara Ann Foster; her children Brenda Elise (Brett) Howell and Lloyd Peter Rogers Jr; three grandchildren Zachari Peter Rogers, Rebecca Nicole (Devan) Nelson, Jordyn Mahrina Rogers; two great-children Owen Darrold Nelson and River Louis Nelson.

A special thank you to Hands of Hope Hospice and Visiting Angels for all their wonderful care of our mother. Thank you Brianna, Devrie, Audra, Ashley, and Macalah and also thank you Katie, Marnie and Karelli. The care and compassion was so greatly appreciated.

In lieu of flowers a donation to the Bethel Lutheran Church memorial fund under Marlene Rogers name would be appreciated.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, July 19, 2024 at the Bethel Lutheran Church, 413 South Main Street, in Firth. The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 6:00 till 7:30 p.m. at Nalder Funeral Home, 110 West Oak Street, in Shelley and Friday from 10:00 a.m. till 10:45 a.m. at the church. Burial will be in the Riverview Cemetery.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.nalderfuneralhome.com.