MURIEL M. NIEHENKE, 65, of Colfax, passed away on Friday, April 15, 2011 at her Colfax home. Muriel was born May 20, 1945 in Waipahu, Hawaii to Takeo & Grace Arakaki. She grew up and attended school in Hawaii, graduating from McKinley High School in 1963. She moved to Spokane, WA to continue her education at Gonzaga University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Technology in 1969. Muriel married Stephen Niehenke in 1970 and together they made their home in Colfax, WA until they divorced later in life. Muriel worked at Whitman Hospital and Medical Center as a Medical Technician for most of her career until moving to the Treasure Valley of Idaho where she worked until her retirement. Muriel then returned to Colfax. Throughout her life Muriel was a wonderful and loving mother and homemaker. She enjoyed sewing, cross stitching, baking and making candy. Muriel enjoyed traveling all over, including trips to the Oregon Coast and Las Vegas. She participated in local professional women's organizations, the Jaycee's, and especially enjoyed doing charity work through the years in Colfax and the Boise, ID area. Muriel is survived by her daughter Kiyomi (Mark) Vantine; two sons Keith (Julie) Niehenke and John Niehenke; five grandchildren with one on the way; her father Takeo Arakaki; mother Grace Carroll; her brother David (Yukie) Oishi; and 3 half brothers Mark & Lawrence Carroll and Randal Arakaki. A celebration of life memorial service will be held at the Fireside Room at the Hill-Ray Plaza on Thursday, April 28, 2011 at 2:30 p.m. Memorials may be made to Friends of Hospice, 1610 NE Eastgate Blvd, #850, Pullman WA 99163 or the Whitman Hospital Auxiliary, 1200 W. Fairview, Colfax, WA 99111. Bruning Funeral Home of Colfax is caring for the family.