Marleen Pitcher Machen

Marleen Pitcher Machen was born to George Parley Pitcher and Clara Jenevie Barnett at their home in Smithfield, Utah. They moved to the Idaho Falls, Idaho area when she was three months old. She had one older sister, Carol, and three younger sisters, Jackie, Colleen, and Vickie. (Colleen passed away shortly after birth). A brother, Buzzy (George Parley), rounded out the family. Marleen grew up in Iona and Ammon.

Growing up, Marleen would rather do anything outdoors than stay inside. She attended school and participated in many sports. She especially liked playing baseball, basketball, and volleyball. Marleen graduated from high school in 1955 and then entered Ricks College. While there she played on the basketball team.

She met her husband, Buster (Melvin Floyd) Machen, on a blind date. They dated for a few months and decided to become engaged. Marleen wanted to be married in the Idaho Falls Temple. They worked hard to make that happen and then on 20 December 1956 they made an eternal family. Their goal was to have a big family.

They moved to Butte, Montana for work shortly after being married. While there a daughter was born to them in 1957, and they named her Cindy. They then moved back to Idaho where more children joined the family. Bonnie came in 1958, followed by Barbara in 1960. Finally, a boy arrived– Wayne in 1962. Later, they moved to Anaconda, Montana where the rest of their children were born. Amy came in 1964, Ted in 1965, and Rex in 1966. Judy joined the family in 1968, and Wendy followed in 1969. The 1970’s brought Joe in 1971, Donna in 1973, and finally Ken in 1975. Marleen’s posterity includes 37 grandchildren and an ever-increasing number of great grandchildren.

They lived in Anaconda for 14 years and then moved to Stevensville, Montana for several years. Marleen and Floyd moved to Oregon City, and then to Priest River, Idaho. They retired to Twin Falls, Idaho and have resided there to this day.

Marleen was a sweet and gentle soul. She wrote a brief life story back in the 1990’s, and here is an excerpt from it:

“All of my children have made me happy and given me many growing experiences. I have had a lot of good times along with those learning experiences. I feel that the good times have outweighed the bad many times over. I’m still in love with Floyd and I find that I love him more and more every day.

I am proud to be a member of the Latter-day Saint Church. I love the Lord. I love the church and the gospel. I pray that we can all be together in the hereafter. I love each and every one of my children and my sons-in-law, and daughters-in-law and my (37 now) grandchildren (as well as an ever-increasing number of great-grandchildren). I especially love my eternal companion, Floyd.”

Marleen suffered the last years of her life with Alzheimer's. She took it all in stride and kept as positive an outlook as she could. We all felt sad as her memory faded and her mortal body weakened. She was able to graduate into eternity on May 23, 2025. The last song some of her children sang to her was, “Families Can Be Together Forever.” She truly believed that.

Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 am, with a viewing beginning at 10:00 am, Saturday, June 7, 2025, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Canyon Ridge Ward, 824 Caswell Avenue West, Twin Falls.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on Marleen’s memorial webpage at www.farnsworthmortuary.com.