Marian S. Nordquist

PULLMAN, Wash. – Marian S. Nordquist, who worked for Washington State University from Jan. 1989-Sept. 1994, died Oct. 14, 2017, at Bishop Place in Pullman. She was 88.

Marian S. Nordquist Marian Delight Spann was born Sept. 20, 1929, in El Paso, Texas. She was the only child of Charles Alvin and Elva America Barnett Spann. Her father was a major in the U.S. Army and moved frequently when she was a child. She spent time growing up in Panama; Vancouver, Tacoma and Spokane, Wash., and Boise, Ida.

Nordquist graduated from high school in Payette, Ida., and attended the Willamette University in Salem, Ore. for two and a half years before transferring to Washington State College (WSC) in Pullman, where earned a bachelor’s degree in radio speech.

While at college in Pullman, she met David Nordquist, also a student there, and the couple married on Sept. 6, 1952, in Yakima, Wash. They lived in Seattle while David was working on his master’s degree, in public administration.

Marian worked for KING-TV and also at KOL radio. They lived at Fort Lewis in Tacoma, Wash., and in Washington, D.C., where oldest son Eric was born. In 1957 they moved to Paraguay South America where they lived for two years, working for the U.S. State Department. Their second son Mark was born there. Upon returning from Paraguay, David worked in the paper industry for seven years, while Marian was at home raising boys. Twin boys were added in 1964, Philip and Daniel, while living in Louisiana. In 1967 they returned to WSU.

In 1972, Marian and David moved to Moscow, Ida., and lived there for the next 30 years. She was an active participant in her boy’s lives and spent lots of time following their sports or school activities. She was closely involved in the AAU Moscow Swim Team.

She liked to do ceramics and oil painting, liked to travel, enjoyed visiting with her family, and was an avid reader. One of the high points in her life was the 10 years she spent as a Chaplain for Pullman Regional Hospital.

She and David were members of Living Faith Fellowship Church in Pullman, and together they enjoyed being a part of the Palouse Country Cowboy Poetry Club. Marian will also be remembered as a good cook.

After her kids got out of school Marian went back to work and was a secretary in the WSU College of Veterinary Medicine for six years.

She was also very proud to have completed her master’s degree in theology. Marian and David moved back to Pullman in 2002.

She is survived by her husband of 65 years, David, at their home; 4 sons, Eric (Tami) of Pullman, Mark of Lake Hills, Texas, Daniel (Carolyn) also of Pullman, and Philip (Debbie) of West Jordan, Utah; 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents. The family suggests memorial gifts in her honor be made to Pullman Regional Hospital.