Obituary: Marilyn Kay Deel, 70, Pendleton

Marilyn Kay Deel, 70, of Pendleton, Oregon, passed away on June 20, 2026, at St. Mary's Hospital in Walla Walla, Washington, surrounded by family. A  Celebration of Life will be held on  August 1, 2026~ 3 p.m. at the Community Center in Wamic, Oregon.

    Marilyn was born on February 23, 1956, in The Dalles, Oregon, to Elden Rufus Deel and Juanita Pearl Deel. She attended her early years of school in Wamic, Oregon, and graduated from Wasco County Union High School in Maupin, Oregon, in 1974. She later attended college in Prineville and Portland, Oregon.

    Throughout most of her adult life, Marilyn worked in several positions with the Oregon Department of Human Services, serving communities in The Dalles, Hood River, Pendleton, and Baker City. She loved helping people through difficult times, and her ability to connect with individuals from all walks of life made her career especially rewarding. The many friendships she developed over the years were deeply cherished.

     Marilyn often shared stories of her childhood on Smock Prairie, situated along the eastern slope of the Cascade Mountains in northern Wasco County, overlooking Mount Hood. She described a simple life filled with family, hard work, and lasting memories. Among her favorite stories were those of being tied to a saddle at just two years old while accompanying family members as they moved cattle, and later spending countless hours riding her beloved horse, Copper. These were some of the memories she treasured most.

     Her love of music and horses remained with her throughout her life. She enjoyed spending time with family, camping, visiting the Oregon Coast, taking long drives with picnic lunches, and attending family reunions. She delighted in sharing stories and memories of these experiences with those she loved.

    Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, stepfather and her siblings Jerold Deel, Howard Deel, Donna Tollefson, and Dwaine Moss.

    She is survived by her daughter, Jesica Obenshain and son-in-law Jesse of Pendleton, OR; grandchildren, Oakley Deel and partner Shelby Kobasa, and Ashly Deel and partner Kole Keller-Morris; great grandchildren, Amelia, Michelle, Octavia, Rhett, and Matthew; sister Saundra Bork of Baker City, OR; brother Michael "Mickey"  Deel and wife Sandra "Sandy" of Oregon City, OR.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Stirrup Hope Therapeutic Riding through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home & Cremation Services, PO Box 543, Halfway, OR., 97834. Online condolences can be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com