Obituary of Marlys Ann Tibbitts

Marlys A. Tibbitts, 70, of Coeur d’Alene, ID, passed away on July 15, 2022 in Coeur d’Alene, ID. Marlys was born in Breckenridge, MN to Alfred and Arlene (Olson) Haugen on December 13, 1951. Marlys grew up on her family farm near McLeod, ND. She attended the Sheyenne Township Central School in a one room school house until 6th grade and then finished her schooling in Wyndmere, ND. After graduating high school she went on to further her education at the North Dakota State School of Science in Whapeton, ND where she completed the LPN program. Her first job as an LPN was in Rolette, ND, where she met her lifelong best friend. They decided to take a cross country adventure and found work in Vero Beach, FL for a while. After that, they ventured back to North Dakota and stayed with Marlys’ parents for the summer and worked at the Birdseed factory. They then went on to work in St. Ignatius, MT for a year and a half before making their way to Sandpoint, ID. After a short time in Sandpoint, they came to Coeur d’Alene where Marlys met the love of her life. Her and Jack were married on July 30, 1977 at the Zion Lutheran Church in Rural Leonard, ND. They lived in Post Falls and then moved to Coeur d’Alene where they raised their family. Marlys worked at Kootenai Medical Center in the nursery for a few years before finishing her nursing career at Women’s Clinic of North Idaho, where she retired in 2014 after 30 plus years. Marlys loved to reminisce about her childhood and frequently talked about driving tractor and working on the family farm. She also loved her first car, a 1966 Chevy Impala with a Holley carburetor that she thought “just floated down the road”. She enjoyed traveling and going on adventures, reading, journaling and baking. She loved taking pictures and always had her Canon camera with her at every event, big or small. She had a passion for music and loved to play guitar, sing and hum whenever and wherever she was. She worked hard every year to make sure her annual Christmas Program was a hit. She absolutely loved being around family near and far, especially her grandkids. Her happy place was her and Jack’s property in Lakeview, ID, where she loved to swing on her bench swing, enjoy the surrounding nature and make memories with great friends. Marlys is survived by her husband of 45 years, Jack Tibbitts, Coeur d’Alene, ID; Her two daughters, Lindsey (Shae) Tibbitts-Crump, Post Falls, ID, Kelsey (Matt) Tibbitts-Jereczek, Hayden, ID; 4 Grandchildren, Kage, Kynlee, Klara Crump, and Eli Jereczek; Siblings Arvid (Pat) Haugen, Hankinson, ND, Richard (Denise) Haugen, McLeod, ND, Dale (Rita) Haugen, Lisbon, ND, Sandra (Keith) Spidahl, Casselton, ND, Merlin (Brenda) Haugen, Bismarck, ND and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Alfred and Arlene Haugen. Marlys was known for her kind heart, laughter and smile and she continued to show those characteristics right to the end of her life. She will be forever missed, but always fondly remembered. “Folks are usually about as happy as they make their minds up to be.” ― Abraham Lincoln “The most important thing is to enjoy your life—to be happy—it's all that matters.” ― Audrey Hepburn A Celebration of Life Open House will be held on August 20th, 2022 from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm at 9655 N Valley Way, Hayden, ID. Please stop by, share your memories and enjoy some of Marlys’ favorite snacks with her family and friends. Food and refreshments will be provided. Memorial Donations can be made to HOSPICE of North Idaho 2290 W Prairie Ave. Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815.