Marlayne B. Kufahl

February 14, 1950 – September 3, 2026

Marlayne B. Kufahl, a lifelong resident of the Tri-Cities, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her beloved family and friends on September 3, 2026, after a long and courageous battle with illness. Born on February 14, 1950, to Homer J. Walker and Anna Elizabeth Shoaf, Marlayne was a twin and grew up surrounded by family and the community she would call home throughout her life.

Marlayne was preceded in death by her parents, Homer J. Walker and Anna Elizabeth Shoaf; her sister, Linda Holden; and her brother, Lawrence Walker.

In 1974, Marlayne married the love of her life, Curtis A. Kufahl, and together they built their life and family in Pasco, Washington. Their marriage was blessed with three children: Micheal A. Kufahl; Michele J. Peiffer (Charlie); and Sarah Swain (Josh).

Marlayne was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was blessed with several grandchildren: C.J. Peiffer (Alexandra), Zechariah Peiffer (Veronica), Elizabeth Kufahl, Eile Swain, Ethyn Kufahl, and Jax Swain, and two great-grandchildren, Zara and Ava Peiffer.

Family was always number one in Marlayne’s life.

A graduate of Kennewick High School, Marlayne spent several years working at the Hanford Site. Prior to the birth of her third child, she decided to follow her entrepreneurial spirit and open her own business, Kufahl & Kufahl Inc. She operated two DBAs, First Choice Bookkeeping and Marlayne’s Quality Cleaning Service.

Marlayne was an incredibly hard worker and took great pride in the quality of everything she did. She believed in doing things right, helping others, and being someone people could depend on.

Her dedication to others extended far beyond her work. Marlayne served as a Girl Scout leader for the majority of her daughters’ childhood years, becoming an amazing mentor, teacher, and role model to countless girls throughout the Tri-City area. She was a natural leader, but perhaps even more importantly, she was someone who could always be counted on. Volunteering and helping others were simply part of who she was.

When her grandchildren came along, Marlayne embraced her role as Grandma with her whole heart. She was involved in everything they did and was always there to support them. She taught them how to cook, how to clean, how to sew, how to help around the house, and the importance of working hard and taking care of one another. She rarely missed a baseball game, football game, hockey game, recital, or musical performance. She was their teacher, cheerleader, supporter, and biggest fan.

In 2010, Marlayne became seriously ill. But illness did not define her, and she refused to allow it to take away the life she had worked so hard to build. She fought long and hard, determined to continue living life on her own terms and to remain there for the people she loved most.

Her husband and children meant more to her than anything in this world. They stood beside her every step of the way as she fought a disease that slowly took away her ability to do many of the everyday things she loved. Through every challenge, her family remained her strength, just as she had always been theirs.

Marlayne had created a beautiful and incredibly strong bond with her family. That bond could never be taken away—not by illness, not by time, and not even by death.

In recent days, Marlayne knew that she had become too tired to continue the fight. Although her family never wanted to let her go, they understood that it was time to release her from the pain and burdens her illness had caused. It was an incredibly long and difficult road, but in the end, the greatest gift they could give the woman they loved was the freedom to finally rest.

Marlayne leaves behind a legacy of love, strength, hard work, service, and family. She taught those around her by the way she lived: never give up, take pride in what you do, help others whenever you can, and above all else, love your family fiercely.

She will be deeply missed by her husband, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family, friends, and the many people whose lives she touched throughout her years.

Until we see you again, Mom, rest in peace. We love you more than words could ever express. Your fight is over. You are finally free. We will carry your love with us always.