Marlene JoAnne Kirchoff Perenz, 78

On Oct. 2, 2016, a beautiful fall weekend day, Marlene JoAnne Kirchoff Perenz left her earthly existence.

In doing right by Mom, we, her daughters and granddaughter, were caring for her at home, an important request she made most of her adult life. As it turned out, she gave us a great gift and honor, she taught us one last life lesson. We gathered around her, pulled out boxes and boxes of letters, photographs, notes, cards and important documents — things that in a busy world gets pushed aside. She had them all. She created amazing photo albums with handwritten stories, chronicling our family. Touching anecdotes, cute and silly memories. Things that make a family, well, a family! We were taken back through the years, reintroduced to our heritage, to the important things in which life is truly made of. We spent the whole day with her and our family from years gone by, all because she was the keeper of stories, the maker of our world. We laughed and cried, loved and held tight and when the time came, let her go.

She was born Sept. 16, 1938, to Frank and Jearldine Kirchoff. She lived in Minnesota, Colorado, California, Utah and Montana. She had many jobs but mainly worked in the medical field as a receptionist. Keeping those doctors in line and on time was something she did flawlessly. Mom was grace, poise and strength. She fought for equality and family. She was strong-willed, intelligent and faithful. She held herself and us to a higher standard. She was books and studying, drives in neighborhoods to look at houses and chocolate sodas. She was libraries, hours of discussion and debating. She loved touring cemeteries, and made incredible home-cooked meals and grew amazing gardens. She was comfort, knitted blankets, watercolor paintings, crossword puzzles, and “Jeopardy!” She was the shelves and shelves of books in every house we lived in. She will always be our world. Mom did a beautiful job at this thing called life and in the end, reminded us to let go of pettiness and embrace what is real, to notice the precious moments, wrap them gently, and remember them often, and to choose to seek and see things that are wonderful. She was adored and is deeply missed now and forever.

Mom, Brian will save you a seat at the Tonys! Good night T-hearts.

She is survived by daughters Susan, Julian and Paula Perenz; granddaughter, Kristin and Brian Gregoire; great-grandchildren, Camerin Gregoire and Asha Gregoire; brother, Lenny Kirchoff; and nephew, Robert Kirchoff.

Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.

To send a note of condolence to the family please visit www.buffalohillfh.com.