Marilyn (Fincher) Schneider

Marilyn Fincher Schneider, 72, of Nampa, died in her home October 4, 2023. Marilyn was born on March 20, 1951, during a blizzard in Council, Idaho.  Her dad, Vernon, insisted that she "took the world by storm and never did stop".  Her parents, Ruth and Vernon Fincher, lived in Lakefork, Idaho, and she joined an older brother, Rocky. Two years later, her sister, Penny, arrived and the little family was complete.

Childhood days were care-free and full of fun. The kids swam in the canal, fished in Mud Creek, played cops and robbers amongst the hay bales in Ted Maempa's field, and rode horses at the Scheline ranch. Marilyn loved to go fishing with her dad and spent a lot of time with him drowning worms in the Salmon River.  She attended school in Donnelly, then moved on to McCall-Donnelly High School, graduating in May of 1969. From there she moved on to Link's School of Business and received her IBM Secretarial Diploma in November of 1969. In February of 1970, she married Ken Schneider from Weiser. They celebrated their 53rd anniversary on February 20th.

Ken and Marilyn moved to Treasure Valley in 1973. Their first son, Brian, was born in 1974, and the adventure of parenting began. Mark arrived two years later, and Nathan came along in 1982. They loved parenting and enjoyed the boys and their antics. There was never a dull moment! They were very involved with their church, where Marilyn served as Church Secretary and Youth Director.

After the boys graduated from high school, Marilyn found herself seeking a new career, and she started teaching at a local private school. That evolved into a different private setting where she taught 16 at-risk students, grades 7-12. The job was challenging, but she loved the kids and, together they worked until all of them graduated. She would tell you that those days were God-sent and offered fulfillment that she never would have imagined!

Grandchildren had started entering the picture, and being a Grandma was a delight. Her first grandson, Gabe, always called her "Gamma Melon", and she laughed about being a "radioactive cantaloupe." She loved spending time with Gabriel, Jonah and Kindred, and spent endless hours working on scrapbooks commemorating their growing up years. To date, there are 19 three-ring binders full of pictures and mementos of the grandkids.

Marilyn is survived by her husband of 53 years, Ken; three sons: Brian (Christy); Mark (Kristen); and Nate (Heather), three grandchildren: Gabriel, Jonah and Kindred, and her sister Penny Taylor of Yacolt, WA. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ruth and Vernon Fincher, a sister Judith, and her brother, Rocky.

The most important message she can leave with you today is that her entire life was changed by the presence of Jesus Christ. He has been her friend, her confidante, her advisor, and her Savior for over 40 years. The walk with Him was never dull and always and adventure. He made the difference; the grave has no victory and death has no sting! Heaven is my reward - rejoice with me!!

A Memorial Service to celebrate Marilyn's life will be at 10:00 a.m., Friday, November 3, 2023 in the Valley Shepherd Church of the Nazarene, 150 W. Maestra St., Meridian, ID 83642.

Graveside inurnment services will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, November 4, 2023, in the Finnish Church Cemetery, McCall, Idaho.  Rev. Clifford Scheline will officiate.

Online condolences may be left at www.mccallfunerals.com

Arrangements in care of McCall Funeral Home.