Marie Wilcox

It is with profound sadness that we announce the death of Marie Joan Wilcox on May 18, 2025 at 96 years of age. She died peacefully at home with family.

Marie (Betty) was born Marie Joan Lehner on August 14, 1928 in Anacortes, WA. to Albert F. Lehner and Bertha K. Petersen, descendants of German immigrants. Her mother was a hard working farm wife. Her father moved the family back to Ridgefield in 1940, and they lived in a converted chicken coop while milling lumber for their new homestead on their 80 acre farm near Mud Lake. He was a well-thought of citizen and was commissioned to build the road thru Allen Canyon for $200 with a team of mules and dynamite.

Marie attended the old Enterprise Elementary School, and graduated from Ridgefield High in 1946 with honors including holding elected officer positions in both Honor Society and Girls League. Marie met Richard Glenn Kemper during her time as a Spudder. They were married August 11, 1950 by Father Vogal of Sacred Heart Church in Battleground. They raised their four children in Ridgefield while owning and operating the Ridgefield Feed Store on Main Street.

After a divorce from Glenn, Marie was married to John D. Wilcox from September 9, 1973 until he died on September 17, 1990.

Marie was a member of St. Mary of Guadalupe Catholic Mission, and dedicated her life to raising her children Janice (Smith), Richard, Pat, and Anita (Knapp).

Her family will remember her for liking a good cup of coffee, being a Portland Trailblazer fan, and her lifelong friendships. On hot August nights too damn hot to do anything, Marie would be up canning the fruits and vegetables from the garden until the wee hours of morning. The popping sound of the sealing jars was music to our ears. Marie loved being outside working in her dahlias and begonias. She retired as a professional working mother and bank manager after serving over 30 years. Owning her own home on Maple St. in Ridgefield was one of her most rewarding achievements. Granny's spunky sense of humor and storytelling will be missed.

Marie is survived by her children Richard George of Tok, AK., Patrick Michael (Anne) of White Salmon, WA, and Anita Louise (Robert) Knapp of Sequim, WA, her sister Ellen (Jim) Olsen, grandchildren Jennifer and Timothy, and great-granddaughter Lily.

Marie is preceded in death by parents, Albert and Bertha, brothers Albert and Gilbert, husbands Richard Glenn Kemper and John Wilcox, daughter Janice Marie Kemper (Smith), and grandson Alexander Smith.

Festivities honoring the life of Marie will be sometime later this summer. If desired, monetary or blood donations may be made to the Red Cross, one of her long-time passions. Woodland Funeral Home is entrusted with the care of final arrangements.