Obituary of Marie A Rains

Long time Mason County resident, Marie A. (Eickhoff) Rains, passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, November 3, 2018 at the age of 83. Marie was born on June 8, 1935 in Olympia, Washington to Henry and Lois (Taylor) Eickhoff. She grew up on the banks of South Bay enjoying a wonderful childhood living nearby many aunts, uncles and cousins. She attended Boston Harbor Elementary School and later graduated from William Winlock Miller (Olympia) High School in 1952. In December of 1956, Marie married Shelton native Frank Rains in Olympia. They purchased property next to his parents and have lived in Shelton in the house they built on Hammersley Inlet for almost 60 years. There they raised two daughters, Valerie and Karen. Marie had many jobs working for the State of Washington. She worked as a secretary to Representative Gladys Kirk during several legislative sessions, and was a Director of Gov’t Affairs for the Washington State Medical Association and Podiatry Association. After she and Frank retired, they ran a trenching and backhoe business for a short time, and then became caregivers for their parents for many years. While her daughters were growing up, she served on the Southside School PTO and became a 4-H Leader, serving also on the Panhandle Lake 4-H Camp Board. Through 4-H she enjoyed volunteering at the Mason County Fair, 4-H Horse Shows, the State 4-H Fair in Puyallup, and chaperoned trips to the State 4-H Conference in Pullman. Marie enjoyed spending time with her family, camping, deer and elk hunting, boating, fishing, clam digging, and being outdoors. The family had a large vegetable garden, apple trees, and all kinds of farm animals over the years. She planned and hosted many picnics at their home and on the Satsop River for their family & friends, and Frank’s Annual Law Enforcement Picnic. She made many friends while playing golf at Lake Limerick Country Club, and loved traveling in their motor home to Ocean Shores, Montana, California and Arizona. They traveled to England, Ireland & Scotland, and also Hawaii for their 50th wedding anniversary. Marie and Frank could often be found going out to breakfast with friends where their local servers knew of Marie’s great love for a strawberry waffle with whipped cream. In recent years, even when Marie had become very sick, she would love a campfire while sitting in her lawn chair and watching the activity on the bay. It truly was the best medicine, accompanied by her loving dog Sadie. Marie was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Bertha (Eickhoff) Olson, baby daughter Evelyn, daughter Valerie (Rains) VanCleve, and baby granddaughter Tenley Jo Garrison. She is survived by her husband Frank of 61 years, daughter Karen Garrison (Chris) of Ridgefield, WA, grandsons Ian Horn (Carol) of Shelton and Nathan VanCleve (Alyssa) of Lynnwood, WA, granddaughters Tatum and Maylyn Garrison of Ridgefield, WA, great grandson Zhane Shirkey, and many loving nieces, nephews and cousins. The family would like to especially thank the caregiving staff of Lean On Me At Home Care, the many private and family caregivers, and Providence Hospice who cared lovingly for Marie through her illness. A Celebration of Life Picnic will be planned at a later date. In honor of Marie, please consider a donation to an organization close to her heart, the Mason County 4-H Youth Development Program, 303 N 4th St, Shelton, WA 98584. Marie Rains June 8, 1935 – November 3, 2018 A Celebration of Life picnic will be held in honor of Marie Rains on her birthday, Saturday, June 8, 2019. Family and friends are invited to enjoy lunch and share memories at an open house from noon – 3pm at her home located at 901 SE Old Arcadia Road, Shelton. Please drop by and enjoy some of her favorite things as we remember her beautiful life! Marie’s full obituary is available online at www.mccombwagner.com