Alene Gail Blacken, 75, of Santa, Idaho, died June 28, 2009, in St. Maries after a long battle with cancer. She was born on Jan. 9, 1934 at Jim Creek to Glen and Mildred Hiett, attended Arlington Schools, and graduated from Arlington High School. She married Raymond Blacken in 1952 and they raised their family in Lakewood and Oso.

Alene is survived by husband, Raymond, her sons, Laurin (Vicki), Hubbard OR, Perry, San Diego CA, daughters, Lucinda (Steve) VanValkenburg, Arlington, Karen (Brad) Cromwell, Missoula MT, and Lynette Henak, Marysville.

“Nana” will be missed by her twelve grandchildren, Lars, Kylie, Jeremy, Amy, John, Tyler, Kellan, Eris, Jake, Kari, Andrew, Kelsey, two step-granddaughters, Brandi and Heather, and three great grandchildren, Cody, Hunter and Maya. She was a foster parent for Jim Brown for many years and had many nieces and nephews.

Alene leaves three sisters, Jean, Barbara, and Winona, and her brother, Roy. Her brother, Lou, preceeded her in death.

Funeral service will be at 2 p.m., Thursday, July 2, 2009 at Hodge Funeral Home, St Maries, ID, with burial in Santa’s Riverside Cemetery.

Memorials in honor of Alene may be sent to Seven Oaks Community Homes, 3940 W 5th Ave, Suite C, Post Falls, ID 83854.