Marlene (Steiner) Summers, 78, passed away on September 1, 2023 at her daughter’s home in Tennessee. Born on Oct. 13, 1944 to Walter and Margaret (Inness) Steiner in Phoenix, AZ. After Walt’s discharge from the Army-Air Corps, the family returned to eastern Colorado, making a permanent home in Kit Carson.
Marlene attended Kit Carson school for 12 years and graduated in 1962. After graduation, she and 3 classmates were recruited by the F.B.I. and lived and worked in Washington DC. While in DC, she met a young Army soldier named John C. Summers and they were married in May of 1963.
Army life took them to Ft. Rucker Alabama and Germany, where daughter Shana was born. In 1972 Marlene and Shana returned to Kit Carson for several months while John was away for special service training. Further duty found them in Mt. Clemens, Michigan, where daughter Tanya was born.
After John’s retirement in 1976, the family settled in Perdido Beach, Alabama where Marlene participated in many school and community activities. As their daughters became more independent, she returned to the work force at the Pensacola Naval Air Station as a key punch operator. As her career advanced, she attended a 4-year apprentice program and became a helicopter electrician. She also completed a Bachelor’s Degree at Troy University in Business Administration. She enjoyed volunteering, gardening, sewing, debating, watching movies, and spending time with family and friends.
Several years after John passed away in 2008, she sold the home in Perdido Beach and moved to Pensacola, Florida. As her health required more professional attention, she entered assisted living for several years. In 2023, further health issues necessitated a move to Tennessee to be closer to her daughter.
She is preceded in death by husband John, parents Walter and Margaret, infant sister Sharon, and nephew Richard Steiner. Survivors include daughter Shana Summers (Christi) Nashville TN; daughter Tanya Grueber (Chad) Mobile, AL; siblings: Janet Steiner, Buena Vista, Colorado, Lelan Steiner (Georgia) Berthoud, Colorado, Nadene Gaynor (Cal) Kit Carson, Colorado, Eric Steiner (Mary) Chapman, Nebraska, loyal friend Joe Kirkland Pace, Florida, as well as many nieces and nephews, numerous cousins, and countless friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Pensacola Humane Society, at https://pensacolahumane.org/donate/ in memory of Marlene.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Pensacola (9888 Pensacola Blvd), October 7, 2023 from 1 to 4pm.
Memorial Service
- Unitarian Universalist Church of Pensacola 9888 Pensacola Blvd., Pensacola, FL 32534
- October 7, 2023 at 1:00 PM
