It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Mrs. Marlene Joan Channen of Penhold, Alberta on Wednesday, June 7, 2023 at the age of 87 years. She passed away surrounded by family, at her home, after a long period of illness. Marlene was born on April 26, 1936, to George and Anne Lewis of Calgary, Alberta. Four sisters followed soon after. She grew up in Calgary, where she met her husband, Don, in High School. They were married in 1955 and had four children of their own. Marlene and Don lived at several Air Force bases until 1980, before they moved into the home they built in Penhold, Alberta. Don worked with cadets on the base and Marlene worked full-time at The Bay in Red Deer, Alberta. She also spent much of her time volunteering in the community, at school, the Penhold Drop-In Centre, and the Penhold Library, of which she was a founder. After retirement, their time was spent enjoying their grandchildren and great grandsons, camping, fishing, and travelling together. Marlene will be lovingly remembered by her four children, Valerie, Donna (Trevor), Jim (Jackie), and Jason (Carol), her seven grandchildren, Steven, Beth, Jackie, James, Carly, Anne, and Arianna, and her great grandsons, Jacob and Lukas. She will also be deeply missed by her three sisters, Cathy Lepla, Myrna Lewis, and Margie Bailie, and her sister-in-law, Dorothy Dron, along with many members of a large and loving extended family and lifelong friends. Marlene was predeceased by her husband, Don, her parents, George and Anne, and a sister, Carol Fischer. A Celebration of Marlene’s Life will be held on Saturday, July 15, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at the Penhold Drop-In Centre, 3001 Minto Street, Penhold, Alberta. If desired, Memorial Donations in remembrance of Marlene may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation at Suite 600, 235 Yorkland Boulevard, Toronto, Ontario, M2J 4Y8 or at www.jdrf.ca. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.heartlandfuneralservices.com. Arrangements in care of: Heartland Funeral Services Ltd., 4415 – 49 Street, Innisfail, Alberta. Phone: 403.227.0006