Maralee Olive Foss was born July 7, 1937, 36 minutes after her identical twin Charleda, in Harrison, Idaho, to Esther Ina Foss and Oliver Foss. She passed away on April 29, 2022. At age 4, the family moved to Coeur d' Alene and then to Seattle until she was about 8 years old. The family returned to Cd’A when she was in second-grade.

Maralee graduated from Cd'A High School in 1956 as valedictorian. From there, she and her sister went to BYU in Provo, Utah, where they completed bachelor's degrees in three years in P.E. She earned national rating for volleyball and basketball officiating. Maralee went on to get her master’s degree in 1970 in physical education. She taught for a few years in California, Salt Lake City and at Spokane Rogers High School. Most of her career was teaching at NIC, where in 1969, she started women’s varsity sports and coached the basketball, volleyball and tennis teams. In 1978-79, she was named NJCAA tennis coach of the year. She played in the AAHPER convention on a demonstration volleyball team that introduced the “3-hit rule” to the sport.

In 2017, Maralee and Charleda were inducted into the North Idaho Athletic Hall of Fame for their contribution to sports for girls and women. They worked together starting sports opportunities for girls in Northern Idaho. They started the softball and tennis programs at the Cd'A Recreation Department when there were none in place.

Maralee had a positive impact on the lives of hundreds of young women through sports. She was a teacher, coach, referee and umpire. She believed that if you didn't care about your students, you should not be a teacher. Many sporting associations sought out her expertise and willingness to help improve athletics for young women. She knew 60 years ago that sports would change a young woman’s life, inspire confidence, strength, courage and many life skills that would make their lives better. Maralee also volunteered and worked 35 years with the American Red Cross on the Board of Directors, as well as being an instructor of swimming, First Aid and CPR.

She received her first basketball when she was about 6 years old. The neighbor did not appreciate the constant bouncing and shooting hoops that became a daily routine for her and her twin sister. She fell in love with being an athlete. Maralee became an avid golfer in her 40s and continued to golf into her early 80s. Although her sister Char had three “hole-in-ones” Maralee never did. She told Char, "You can't get another until I get one." If there is golf in heaven, she'll continue that quest. Many of her closest friends are from her ladies’ golf group. Maralee was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Maralee is preceded in death by her mother, Esther; sisters, F. Shirley Rudie and Alicemarie Schultz; and father. She leaves her twin sister, Charleda, and many nieces and nephews. Marcee's (a niece) daughter said upon notice of Maralee's death, "The more I think about it the more I realize how much Maralee impacted your life, which impacted my life, and now the life of my children." Maralee shared her love of sports with her nieces and nephews including snow and water skiing. Now their children and grandchildren love all the same sports.

At her request there will be no funeral and that “you better not bury me in a dress.” She will be buried in blue jeans and a turtle neck, at Cd'A Memorial Gardens, close to her mother.

Yates Funeral Home is entrusted with final arrangements. Please visit Maralee’s online memorial and sign her guestbook at yatesfuneralhomes.com.