Margene Coates Obituary

Margene Coates went to be with her Lord and Savior on October 16, 2025 in Chewelah, WA at the age of 76. Margene was born on February 26, 1949 in Pocatello, ID the daughter of Abner Alfred and Evelyn Sue (Jones) Bott.

She was raised in Pocatello, ID where she graduated from Pocatello High School in 1967. After briefly attending Idaho State University, Margene began working full time at the regional office for Farmers Insurance in Pocatello. She met a young man named Joe Coates while they were attending a Missions Conference at Golden Gate Theological Seminary in California. They then wrote to each other during the week and attended church together on the weekends, often sharing a meal and meaningful conversations. On December 22, 1968, Margene and Joe exchanged vows in Pocatello. Shortly thereafter, Joe enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and Margene followed him during his service. They began a family with the birth of their daughter, Timbra. Margene volunteered as a candy striper at the base hospital in Grand Forks, ND. Upon his honorable discharge, their family moved with Joe's work and resided in Yellowstone National Park and Medford, OR, where their son Peter was born. In 1974, they moved to Kettle Falls, WA to work at the Circle Bar J Boys Ranch. Margene helped to cook, clean, wash laundry, keep books and work in the garden. The ranch closed in 1981, and Margene began to work as a part time secretary at the United Methodist Church in Colville. Beyond the office work, Margene helped as the wedding and funeral coordinator, organizer of Operation Christmas Child, choir member and helped to begin and organize the church Soup Kitchen, Community Thanksgiving dinners, and Bethlehem Revisited. Margene retired in 2020 but remained an active volunteer and servant within the church. She and Joe moved to Chewelah in 2023 where they have resided ever since.

At the center of Margene's life was her servant's heart and love for Jesus. From that love, her life blossomed and family was at the core. She organized her family's reunions that began in 1998 and traveled extensively, almost exclusively for important family events, weddings, birthdays, and funerals. She was full of grace and placed the needs of others ahead of her own. Margene made beautiful meals, a bountiful garden, canned the harvest, knitted, crocheted, embroidered and sewed her family's clothing. She read the Scriptures morning and night which took her cover to cover through the Bible countless times. The parish was her passion, and she lived the Word, taught by example, and loved Jesus with all her heart, mind and soul.

Margene was preceded in death by her parents, Abner and Sue Bott, and her son-in-law, Kevin Peace.

She is survived by her husband, Joe Coates of Chewelah, WA; daughter, Timbra Peace of Flagstaff, AZ; son, Peter Coates (Renae) of Cedarville, CA; grandchildren, Justin Peace (Moriah) of Flagstaff, AZ, Gemma Coates and Gavin Coates of Cedarville, CA; sister, Kris Galloway (Dick) of Denver, CO, numerous nieces and nephews and a host of extended family and friends.

The Celebration of life and faith of Margene Coates will begin at 2 p.m. on Saturday November 15th at the Colville Community Church (a Global Methodist Ministry) in Colville, WA. Memorial contributions may be given to Samaritan's Purse: Operation Christmas Child. Please visit the online memorial and sign the guestbook at www.danekasfuneralchapel.com. Danekas Funeral Chapel and Crematory is entrusted with the arrangements.