Most folks know Mollee Roestel as the wife of Marty Raney, the rugged star of the Discovery Channel’s “Homestead Rescue.” But there’s way more to this Washington-born woman than just being a TV personality’s spouse. Born in 1957 (though some sources say 1956), Mollee has lived a life that’s every bit as adventurous as her famous husband’s, just away from the cameras.
Growing up in Snoqualmie Valley, Washington, Mollee was raised in a Jehovah’s Witness household – a faith she continues to practice today. Her parents, Lorel Wayne Roestel and Beverly Watkins, provided a modest but loving home.
Her father, a dedicated Army officer, lived to the impressive age of 95 before passing away in Spokane, having served his country with honor throughout his military career.
From Washington to the Alaskan Wilderness
The real adventure began when Mollee Roestel married Marty Raney in 1974. Talk about diving headfirst into a completely different lifestyle! The newlyweds didn’t start their married life in some cozy suburban home – instead, they headed straight to the logging camps of Southeast Alaska.
Their first Alaskan home was a floating logging camp near Prince of Wales Island, where they lived without any of the modern conveniences most people take for granted – no electricity, running water, plumbing, or heating.
But that was just the beginning. A year later, the couple moved to a 160-acre homestead in Haines, Alaska, situated a whopping 100 miles from the nearest town and completely off-grid.
They later relocated again to another remote floating logging camp, this time 100 air miles from the coastal fishing town of Sitka. It’s safe to say that Mollee embraced the off-grid lifestyle with both arms wide open.
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Building a Family in the Last Frontier
Marty and Mollee Roestel raised four children together: Matt, Misty, Melanee, and Miles. The eldest, Melanee and Miles, were born in Alaska during the mid-1970s. These kids didn’t grow up playing video games or hanging out at shopping malls – they were exploring nature and going on outdoor expeditions from day one.
One particularly memorable family adventure happened when the whole crew hiked the famous Chilkoot Pass. At the time, Melanee was eight and Miles was six – pretty impressive for such young kids! The experience was even documented and shared on the show’s social media, showing just how ingrained adventure is in this family’s DNA.
The Woman Behind the Scenes
While Marty handles the TV fame, Mollee keeps things running smoothly behind the scenes as an accountant for Alaska Stone and Log Company – the family business.
She’s not just crunching numbers, though; Mollee Roestel and the family are actively involved in homesteading, construction, and maintaining their self-sufficient lifestyle.
This includes some pretty hardcore activities like dip-netting for salmon and participating in annual moose, caribou, and sheep hunts as a family. She has developed a deep passion for outdoor activities, including hiking, farming, and caring for animals. She’s also a marathon runner, which shows just how committed she is to staying active and healthy.
Staying Out of the Spotlight
Despite being married to a TV star and having two children (Misty and Matt) who regularly appear on “Homestead Rescue,” MMollee Roestel has chosen to stay off-camera.
In a 2017 interview with Fox News, Marty confirmed that his wife, along with Miles and Melanee, decided not to participate in the show. They simply aren’t interested in the publicity that comes with being part of a television series.
That doesn’t mean she’s completely absent from the production though. Social media posts show that Mollee spends plenty of time on set when her husband and children are filming, supporting the family effort from behind the scenes.
A Life Well-Lived
At 68 years old, Mollee Roestel represents the kind of woman who embraces adventure without needing the spotlight. She’s built a life centered around family, faith, and self-sufficiency in one of America’s most challenging environments. While her husband gets the TV fame, she keeps the home fires burning – literally and figuratively – in the Alaskan wilderness.
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