Marsha Steinweden

Marsha Joyce Steinweden, wonderful mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend to many, passed away too soon on January 31, 2024, at the age of 70.

Marsha grew up in Riverbank, California, and graduated from Riverbank High School in 1972. She was well known for participation in the FFA, and her general shenanigans (which would continue throughout her life). She attended Yuba College, graduating in 1975. Marsha spent several years driving a forklift for Contadina in California. Her daughter Shasta was born in 1980. In 1983 Marsha, her mother Margaret, and Shasta moved to Thompson Falls, Montana.

Marsha built strong connections with many people in the Thompson Falls area, creating a large, chosen family that is too numerous to list (you all know who you are). She worked at Lawyers Nursery, co-owned a restaurant in Thompson Falls for a short time, and worked at the post and pole plant.

In the summer of 1990 Marsha was in a serious car accident that left her physically disabled. Through sheer stubbornness and perseverance, she pushed through her recovery and achieved more than the doctors expected.

In 1991 Marsha returned to college to find a new career in order to support her daughter and herself. In 1993, she graduated with an associate degree in accounting from Flathead Valley Community College in Kalispell. After graduation, Marsha moved to Missoula to further her education at the University of Montana obtaining her bachelor's degree Business Administration in 1995, followed by her master's degree in Accountancy in 1997.

After obtaining her master's degree, Marsha worked for the Rural Institute at the University of Montana, Montana Fair Housing, Gary's Auto, and ran her own business. In the Missoula area she continued to add to her chosen family, and was the person many relied on for advice, wisdom, laughs, and acceptance. She gifted many people with nicknames that they are known by to this day.

Marsha sewed, crocheted, and knitted, her entire life, and spent every Sunday in the summer at the Target Range Farmer's Market selling homemade laundry soap, scrubbies, wash cloths, bowl holders, potholders, rugs, and other handmade items. It makes sense that she became an integral part of the market community and ultimately helped run it. She was known by many who visited the market as the "Bubble Lady" because of the bubble machines she ran at her booth.

Marsha was extremely frugal, hated wasting anything, and was known for her handmade gifts. She hated wrapping paper in particular and would give presents in pillowcases custom made for the recipient because "wrapping paper is a waste of money." Even when sitting and resting she would always have a ball of yarn or scrubbie material that she was crocheting.

Marsha's house was one where everyone gathered, and many, many, days were spent with friends canning, sewing, gardening, cooking, and butchering. Marsha taught many people these skills for self-sufficiency throughout her lifetime. Marsha was strong, independent, resilient, and had a humorous personality. She was known for her spunk, sass, sarcasm, and stubbornness. She loved to read recipes, scour grocery ads for good deals, and find "coopins" (coupons). She loved and collected all things flamingo. She loved road trips and exploring. Many summers were spent driving around visiting national parks, getting lost on Forest Service Roads, finding interesting backroads, reading historical markers with feeling, and eating picnics on the hood of the car.

In her memory, take a road trip to somewhere new, explore that Forest Service Road you always drive by and wonder where it goes, make a new recipe, grow and preserve your own food, shop a great sale at the grocery store to stock up, and hug your family. Sit down with someone you haven't talked to in awhile and have some laughs.

Marsha is survived by her daughter Shasta Steinweden, son-in-law David Powell, grandson Dean Powell, sister Kelly Dossett, niece Megan Nemes, nephew Brandon Goodrum, and niece Jennifer Goodrum. She is also survived by several godchildren and chosen family members. She leaves a giant hole in many hearts because she made such a huge impact on so many.