Marlene Tapoof

    Marlene Tapoof, age 64, of Whiterocks, passed away on May 12, 2026, at the Uintah Basin Medical Center.
    Marlene was born June 19, 1961, in Roosevelt, Utah, to Bert Tapoof and Mary Elizabeth Root.    
    Marlene loved to visit and make friends, she never met anyone who stayed a stranger.  She loved her Native American culture and traditions, and attending community events, such as the Ute ladies beading class..  She was spunky, out spoken, determined, fun, and respectful.  She had a great sense of humor, loved to joke and was a delight to be around.  She was a great storyteller, who loved her cats, riding horses, especially “Pepsi”, and would always put others above herself.  She liked going to the mountains, and  gambling.  She was known as a caretaker to many family members, helping raise many to adulthood. She always wanted to drive the Ute Tribe Ambulance, but for some reason, they never let her.
    Marlene is survived by her sister, Koralene (Jerrod) Mountain; son, Wallace Tapoof; grandchildren, Kris Tapoof and Annalayah Tapoof; niece and nephew, Shelby (Kaidon) Kennedy and Avory Martinez; great-nephews, Ezekiel Kennedy and Oliver Martinez; foster mom, Judy Knight Frank; and numerous aunts, uncles, and other relatives, and her cats, M&M’s and Rosie.
    She was preceded in death by her parents; Bert Tapoof, and Mary Wyasket, siblings, Perry, Tilford, & Tilson Tapoof; Shelley Tapoof and Arlynn Wyasket, step dad, William Wyasket, and foster dad, Robert Frank.
    Funeral services will be held Friday, May 15, 2026, at 10:00 AM at the Whiterocks Community Building.  A wake will be held after 4:00 PM on Thursday at the same location.
    Burial will be in the Roosevelt Memorial Park.
    And as she always said, “I was just thinking that!”