Rachel Kay (Martin) Marks

ARLEE — Rachel K. Marks, 39, on the evening of Aug. 2, 2006, we lost our beloved Rachel to an accidental drowning, when she slipped and fell in a canal near her home.

She was born to Alice and Leon Martin, March 16, 1967, in Ronan. Rachel grew up on Post Creek, attended grade school in Mission, and graduated from Two Eagle River School in 1985. After high school she joined the Army for a short time and was honorably discharged. She traveled around a bit with her best friend Tim Ricks, working in Wyoming at the Togwotee Ski Lodge near Jackson Hole, Wyo. She lived in Zephyr Cove, Nevada, for a few years and then moved back home. She worked at Montana Naturals from 1992-1997.

She met the light and anchor of her life, Dwayne Marks, in the fall of 1991 and they married April 7, 1994. Soon after, their little cabin was filling up with baby boys and they built their dream home up the Jocko Canyon.

They were blessed with three sons, Darren 8, Derek 6 and Dalton 5. She called them "The three D's." They were the light and joy of her life. Her dream was to be married and have a houseful of kids and to live in the mountains.

Rachel had a huge love for life; she definitely lit up the room. Her laughter will always be remembered. It was not a party until Rachel and the boys showed up. She loved her home and family, which kept her very busy, taking care of her garden flowers and animals, especially her chickens. She enjoyed crossword puzzles and playing computer games. She would have given or done anything for her loved ones, she had a fierce heart and a loving gentle spirit. Now the bluest eyes of the Jocko Valley are looking at the face of God and embraced in his loving arms. Rachel had a huge loving heart and would open her home to anyone. She loved children and often took care of her nieces and nephews.

Rachel was preceded in death by her mother, Alice Deschamp Martin; her father, Leon Martin; grandparents Edna and Marian Deschamp, Myrtle and Oscar Martin, and her brother-in-law, John Sheridan.

Rachel is survived by her beloved husband Dwayne Marks; sons Darren 8, Derek 6 and Dalton 5; her foster daughter/niece, Natalliya 3; brother Ron (Candi) Martin of Lolo; sister Adele Martin of Post Creek; sister Lucinda (Cindy) Martin of Arlee; sister-in-law, Maxine Michel of Ronan; sister/cousin, Alane McClure of St. Ignatius; nieces and nephews, and her very best friend, Tim Ricks, of Portland, Ore.

She was laid to rest by her mother in St. Ignatius, along with her favorite dog Sandy of 13 years, who also died last week.

Mass was celebrated Monday in the St. Ignatius Catholic Mission. Inurnment followed in the Snyelmn Sntmtmne Cemetery in St. Ignatius where military honors were accorded.