Marilene (Mitzi) Shinen

Mitzi Shinen was born in Wasco, California and passed peacefully in Beaverton, Oregon just shy of turning 95.
After graduating from high school she attended Bible Institute of Los Angeles where she majored in Bible and Greek, graduating in 1955.
At Biola she met David Shinen and soon discovered that they shared the common interest of translating the Bible into another language.
They married in 1954 and together joined Wycliffe Bible Translators in 1955.
After attending survival training in the jungles of Mexico and two Arctic survival trainings in Nenana, Alaska, Dave and Mitzi accepted an assignment to translate the New Testament for the Siberian Yupik people of St. Lawrence Island and Russian Far East.
The Shinens arrived in Gambell on St. Lawrence Island in 1959 with their young children Deborah and David. Daughter Dorothy joined the family in 1960. In total, the Shinens spent 56 years in western Alaska, 43 years in Gambell and 13 years in Nome.
Because the language was unwritten, Dave and Mitzi began translation by phonetically learning the language in order to devise an alphabet.
This needed to be done before translating from the Greek to the Siberian Yupik language. The challenge of translating to the Siberian Yupik language was that half of the speakers of the language are in the U.S. where we use the Roman alphabet and the other half is in Russian Far East and they use the Cyrillic alphabet.
In addition to the unique challenge of translating to the Siberian Yupik language, settling in to life in Arctic Alaska required these “20-somethings” to adapt to remote living in the village of Gambell: Adjusting to freezing temperatures, hauling water, experiencing the joys of maintaining a honey bucket, boiling kettles of water to wash clothes and dishes, ordering groceries annually that arrived by ship, (the North Star) and learning to incorporate Native subsistence foods in every-day meal prep, all while focusing on the most important aspect of getting acquainted with the people and establishing lifelong relationships.
The people of Gambell welcomed and assimilated them into their lives and rich culture. The Bible translation would not have been possible without the invaluable assistance of their Siberian Yupik co-translators.
Dave and Mitzi moved to Portland, Oregon in 2015 where they continued to complete the translation project and were finally able to see it published in 2018 in both the Siberian Yupik and the Russian Cyrillic alphabets. Their over-riding theme throughout the translation journey with their co-translators was, “All for the glory of God.”
Mitzi’s faith in Jesus Christ was a steady and integral part of every aspect of her life.
She genuinely loved reading the Bible and was often seen with her head bowed, praying over long lists of family and friends. If she knew you, she prayed for you.
Nothing was more important to Mitzi than people. She showed her love in practical ways-sharing gifts of food, time and encouragement with whomever she encountered.
She had the gift of hospitality and with an open door, she welcomed people from all over the globe into our home.
Her heart was a quiet, yet powerful presence, always willing to give and serve without seeking attention or praise.
She never had a bad word to say about anyone. She believed the best in people and extended grace to everyone.
Quite simply, our Mom was a sweetheart.
Her greatest desire was that everyone would know and experience God’s unconditional love and the saving power of Jesus Christ.
She was a lifelong learner and maintained a sharp mind and great sense of humor right up until her final hours.
We miss her dearly but take comfort in knowing that she is finally in the presence of the Lord and reunited with her sweetheart, Dave.
Mitzi was preceded in death by her loving husband, Dave of 67 years.
She is survived by her sole remaining sibling Dorothy Sturtevant, her children Deborah Lundeen (Michael), David Shinen (Lynne) and Dorothy Brewer, as a well as three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
There will be a Celebration of Life Service at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 10, 2026 at Twin Lakes Church ~ 2701 Cabrillo College Dr, Aptos, CA 95003.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Wycliffe Bible Translators, PO Box 628211, Orlando, FL 32862-8211.