Marlene Westlake, 69, of Rio Rancho, NM, passed away peacefully March 2, 2006, in Rio Rancho surrounded by family after a courageous battle with Parkinson's disease.
Marlene was born Dec. 16, 1936, to Everett and Evelyn Monagin in Minot, ND. She was raised and educated in Minot, ND, and graduated from Minot High School in 1955 and Minot State Teachers College in 1957.

Marlene married Richard Westlake on Aug. 17, 1957, in a double ceremony with her identical twin sister Marilyn who married Jerry Phillippe. Richard and Marlene moved to Towner, ND, in the fall of 1957 where she taught school for four years, and then also taught in Grand Forks, ND, for a year. In 1963, they moved to Minot and started their family. Here they raised their two children, Keith and Bruce, whom she was most proud of.

Marlene worked for Ward County Social Services for 10 years prior to her retirement in 1989. Marlene and her twin sister Marilyn were able to fulfill a shared dream of spending their retirement years together. They, along with their respective spouses, lived side by side in a special duplex made just for them in Rio Rancho, NM. Marlene enjoyed her retirement years playing golf, entertaining friends and family, and being close to her twin sister Marilyn.

She was an avid bridge player and sports enthusiast. Whether it was golf, bowling, volleyball, ice skating, or being a spectator at local sporting events, she loved it all. Marlene loved people and enjoyed organizing gatherings with all her friends and sharing a laugh or two or three.

She leaves to cherish her memory, a devoted husband of 48 years, Richard Westlake; two sons and daughters-in-law, Keith and Anne Westlake, Bruce and Anita Westlake; four grandchildren, Garrett, Emily, Kyle and Logan; one sister, Marilyn Phillippe; half sister, Linda (Monagin) Fuller; half brother, Thomas Monagin; two stepsisters, Ruth Anne (Williams) Rahe, Kathleen (Williams) Zielinski; two nephews, Jim Phillippe, Steve Phillippe, and a host of other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents.

A memorial service is planned for late March or early April at First Presbyterian Church, Minot, ND. Details to be announced at a later date.

Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to: Ambercare Hospice, 2129 Osuna NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113.

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