Marsha Ann Appel

Marsha Ann Appel was reunited with her parents in Heaven on March 18, 2024.

Born to Calvin and Lola (Masters) Appel on December 16, 1946, she was raised in the Steptoe-Colfax farming communities and had a deep connection to, and appreciation for, the land. One of four girls, she helped her father and mother on the family farm. She raised ducks, dairy cattle, and was a very active member in the Busy Beavers 4-H Club. She cooked large meals with her mother and sisters for harvest crews.

After graduating from Colfax High School with the class of 1965, Marsha attended Eastern Washington University where she received her Bachelor's degree in Education. She then taught Home Economics in Lind, Washington, for over 15 years - impacting thousands of students' lives. Some friendships with "her kids" lasted a lifetime and she cherished those relationships. Marsha often brought lessons home to the family farm during the summer to teach her nephews and niece sewing, cooking, baking, and aspects of maintaining a clean home. She loved spending time weeding the rose garden, mowing the expansive lawn, sewing pajamas for her nephews and niece, telling bedtime stories, and cooking with her mother.

Marsha obtained her Master's Degree in Distance Education from Washington State University in 1989 and then spent time at the University of Wisconsin - Madison working towards her PhD in Adult and Continuing Education. In 1999, she returned home to the Palouse where she soon became employed as a secretary in the department of Food Science and Human Nutrition at WSU. Continuing her passion of helping students learn, she took great pride in serving at an institution of higher education. Retiring in 2010, Marsha spent time in her Colfax apartment which was filled with cherished possessions from her parents. Marsha created many new memories as she spent time with loved ones close to home.

She never missed a family gathering at her childhood farmhouse and was grateful to her sister Maureen and her family for including her in celebrations and milestone events. She loved pink roses, white daisies, yellow ducks, and watching harvest around the farm.

She is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Maureen and Rod Clausen of Pullman, one niece and three nephews who she adored: Susan (Scott) Lewis, Christopher (Melani) Clausen, Mathew (Stephanie) Collins, Alex (Laura) Collins; along with her great nieces: Tess Lewis and Noel Collins, and great nephews: Cal Lewis and Ethan Clausen. Marsha will be laid to rest next to her parents at a private graveside service for family at the Colfax Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Colfax Cemetery would honor Marsha's wishes.