Alma Jean Marlatt (Gunkel) passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by loved ones, on March 30, 2021. Alma Jean was born October 2, 1931 in Tucumcari, New Mexico. She moved to Arizona in 1967 with her husband and two children.
She was employed by the Mesa Tribune (now known as East Valley Tribune) for 27 years, retiring in 1994. After retiring Alma Jean and her husband took up raising horses. As the years passed they retired from animal raising and moved to Sunland Village in Mesa, Arizona.
Alma Jean’s greatest joy in life was her family. She was blessed with one daughter Deva Erickson (husband, Bob); one son, Ronnie Coslett; three grandchildren: Rob Erickson, Brian Erickson (wife, Dachelle), and DeAnn Devore (husband, Scott); and eight great-grandchildren: Hope, Kevyn, Keeley, Joshua, Paige, Carson, Chase, and Brynn. And last but certainly not the least, her third husband, Jim Gunkel (a true blessing in the last years of her life).
Alma Jean also had a great zest for life. She enjoyed playing cards with neighbors and friends as well as playing Bingo. She was lovingly teased about teaching family new card or domino games and forgetting certain plays until it was suddenly available on her turn. This became known as “Nanny’s way”. She was known as Nanny to her grands and their friends.
One of the highlights of her adventurous side was the zip-lining trip she made in the jungles of Cancun, Mexico, just months before her 85th birthday. She chose zip lining over swimming with dolphins, much to the chagrin of her granddaughter and one great-grandson.
Alma Jean was preceded in death by her parents, Gene & Lavern Harris; her brother, Joe Harris; her son, Ronnie Coslett; and two husbands: Ike Coslett and Bob Marlatt.
The one big thing on her bucket list that she never got to do was to visit Graceland. She was a huge Elvis fan! She loved to dance, listen to music, play games and spend time with family. She will be greatly missed.
Alma Jean will be laid to rest at Mountain View Funeral Home and Cemetery in Mesa, Arizona on Saturday, April 24, 2021.