Marlene Rae Simla

Marlene Rae Spencer Simla January 1, 1939 – June 17, 2023 Marlene Rae Spencer Simla, proud member of the Yakama Nation, was born at home in Toppenish on January 1, 1939 to James J. Spencer Jr. and his wife Catherine Annie Andrews Spencer. The sixth of eleven children, her siblings all predeceased her: Sharon S. Zack, Geraldine “Jeri” S. Olney, Frank A. Spencer, Delores Trujillo, Robert James Spencer, Gloria B. Spencer, Caryl A. Spencer, Louie Vargas, Eugenia “Jeannie” M. Sanchez, and she is survived by her sister Elaine "Allen" M. Andrews. Marlene passed into the arms of the Creator, taking her rightful place among her people, on June 17, 2023 at Union Gap. She was especially proud of her caring son, Wayne Spencer Simla, who survives her. A graduate of Toppenish high school, she followed her passion for art to attend the Institution of Indian Arts in Santa Fe. She graduated from Ft. Lewis College in Durango, Colorado with a bachelor’s degree and later earned her master’s degree in education from Heritage University. This was only the start of a lifetime of scholarship that she freely shared with anyone who asked and through her leadership in the Toppenish Historical Society and as a board member of Friends of Toppenish Creek. She was a director and lead teacher for early childhood programs, a social worker for Nak Nu We Sha, and program director of the Area Agency on Aging. She devoted much of her 44 year career at the Yakama Nation to the well-being of the Nation’s children. She helped hundreds of children and young adults build a foundation for life-long learning and to find safe and loving homes. While at the Head Start program she saw that none of the books for story hour were Yakama Nation stories. She set about to write the legends of her Klickitat people, illustrated with her lush watercolor paintings. She felt this was an investment in our children’s future. Among her many books, Marlene brought to life the incredible true story of her own sixth-great grandfather as told by her elders in, “The Young Man’s Ascent of Mt. Rainier.” Her book, “The Legacy of Chief Spencer” tells the story of her great great grandfather, the first Chairman of the Yakama Nation back in 1855. She contributed vital research for a 2016 honoring of those who fought in the First Treaty War including her great great grandfather Paul Ashue Weyallup. Weyallup was from Selah but joined his relatives in the successful campaign to return Indian land to Indian ownership west of the mountains. An accomplished award-winning artist, her 50-year retrospective was hosted by the Yakama Nation Museum and Culture Center. She exhibited her handmade dolls in beaded buckskin regalia at the Central Washington State Fair always taking home a ribbon, was invited each year to submit pieces to the juried art show at the Washington State Historical Museum, as well as contributing to the annual Spilyay-Mi Art Show. Beyond a life filled with accomplishment and service, her huge circle of relations and friends will all carry memories of her limitless generosity and the way she made each of us feel special as she called out “Howdy!” before our name. The way every day began, “Great day in the morning!” Marlene made every day great. It was her special gift. “When I pass into the next world, I hope all will know that I’ve only traveled from one life to another. I love the wilderness and her resources. I love children and the little important things in their lives. I enjoyed working with teens and encouraging them to be strong, be safe, and to learn, learn, learn. It was a joy to eat with the elders at local dinners and feasts. I look forward to seeing my parents, brothers, sisters and loved ones that passed on before me when I enter the next world.”

Marlene Rae Simla

January 1, 1939 - June 17, 2023

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Marlene Rae Simla

January 1, 1939 - June 17, 2023

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