Marlys Jobe Soltman was born on Aug. 29, 1917, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. At the age of 12, her family moved to Seattle. She went to school in Seattle and met her husband, Charles Jobe, from Lynden, at Mc Dougal’s Department Store, where both were models.
Marlys and Charles moved to Lynden where Chuck bought the Whatcom Laundry and Dry Cleaners. They were active in local civic and youth organizations, city government, Boys Scouts and Campfire Girls. They raised four children in Lynden. Chuck passed away in 1961. A year later Marlys moved to Tacoma and served a number of years as a dorm mother at the College of Puget Sound (UPS). In 1969, Marlys married John Soltman, a Methodist pastor. They moved to Vancouver where John became the first director of an alcohol rehabilitation center. They moved to Lacey in March 2004, acquiring a home at the Panorama Retirement facility where John passed away five years ago. Marlys also passed away at Panorama on Aug. 15, 2015, at almost 98 years old.
Marlys served in various clubs in Vancouver and she also sang in the church choir. They traveled extensively and made friends in many countries and cities. They enjoyed attending elder-hostels, which widened their interests and hobbies.
Marlys is survived by her four children, Lonnie (Gale) VanderPol, Tom (Jane, deceased), Linda (Gary) Duim and Phil (Betty); and 11 grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
A family graveside service will be held at the Lynden Cemetery. Cemetery arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Lynden.
