Marla H (Hirschi) Young died January 10, 2018 at her home in Meridian, Idaho from Alzheimer’s disease at age 78. She was born on January 18, 1939 in Salem, Idaho. She was the daughter of Robert Daniel Hirschi and Lucille Hansen Hirschi. She was raised in the Salem area on the family farm. She graduated from Sugar Salem High School in 1957. During high school, Marla was active in the Pep Club, Choir, Future Homemakers of America, and was the Homecoming Queen during her senior year.

Marla married Rex Tracey Young of St. Anthony, Idaho on June 18, 1958. The marriage was later solemnized in the Logan Utah LDS Temple. They had three sons, Jeffery, Darin and Bradley. She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in various callings to include, Relief Society (Counselors and President), Young Women’s (Secretary, Counselors and President), and various other ward and stake assignments. She also served as the LDS Sorority advisor at Boise State University. Marla and her husband served a one-year mission for their church in the Idaho Boise Mission Office during 1997-1998. They were also temple workers in the Boise Idaho Temple during 2003-2005.

Marla was a very caring person and spent many days visiting and assisting ward members. Due to her parents failing health, her parents moved to her home in 1986. She provided loving care to them until their death. A short time before her mother’s death, her doctor asked if it wasn’t about time that she be placed in a care facility. Marla answered, “No, it isn’t time; but if it ever comes, I will know it.” That time never came, and Marla continued to care for her mother until her death in 1995.

During her youth, Marla worked on the family farm with her father and mother doing many of the farming duties. She was a great seamstress and sewed most of her own clothes during her youth and early years of marriage. She sewed extensively for her boys and, at one time, sewed a suit for her husband. She worked in various retail sales positions for several years. She entered the banking business and received extensive training in banking. She had been selected to be a branch manager but resigned when she was called to serve in the Boise Idaho Mission.

Marla loved to dance. She and her husband spent many New Year’s Eve celebrations seeking out dances in the local area. As a mother of three boys, she was often found fishing with them on various streams and lakes. In her later years, she also played golf with her husband and a son.

Marla was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Lorene (Hirschi) Walker and Arlayne (Hirschi) Smith. She is survived by one brother, Glead (Nadene) Hirschi of Boise, Rex, her husband of over 59 years, and sons Jeffery (Jeanette) of Meridian, Darin (Lisa) of Highland, Utah, and Bradley of Meridian. She is also survived by seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Marla was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2009, and her memory continued to deteriorate. In addition, her right hip failed and could not be surgically repaired because of her inability to complete post-operative therapy. In March 2013, she was placed in the Hospice Program and within a month was completely bedridden. She remained a hospice patient for 4 years and 10 months until her death. In spite of her illness, she maintained a sense of humor and pleasant disposition. She was able to remain in her own home, where she was provided care by her family.

Our thanks go out to the people from Heart ‘n Home Hospice, who provided care and assistance several times each week. To the people from the Sherbrooke Ward Relief Society, who came into her home and provided care on an as-needed basis. To her friends and neighbors, who frequently provided unsolicited assistance. To Kristen Smith for her loving care and assistance.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 15, 2018, 11:00 a.m., at the LDS Church located at 1950 S. Locust Grove Rd. in Meridian.  Viewings will be held Sunday, January 14, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Relyea Funeral Chapel, 318 N. Latah St., Boise, and also one hour prior to the funeral service. Interment will follow at the Meridian Cemetery. 

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