Marlys Falck, 91

Jan. 26, 1932 - 

Jan. 2, 2024

 

CHESTER - Marlys Ruby (Norman) Falck, 91, of Chester, passed away Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at Colonial Manor of Elma in Elma.

Marlys was born January 26, 1932, at home in Hampton, Iowa, to Albert and Caroline (Heins) Norman. In 1941, the family moved to a farm near Riceville, Iowa. Marlys graduated from Riceville High School in 1950. After graduation, she worked in Cresco. 

Marlys was united in marriage to Howard Falck on February 26, 1952, at Riceville Lutheran Church in Riceville, Iowa. The couple were married for more than 71 years. They lived in California while Howard served in the Marines. In February 1954, they moved to Chester, Iowa, where they raised their three sons and one daughter. Once moved to Chester, Marlys worked at LeRoy Products in LeRoy, Minnesota.

Howard and Marlys were members of the Chester United Lutheran Church in Chester, Iowa. Marlys loved to garden and had lots of flowers throughout the yard. She loved quilting, crocheting and sewing, as well as canning and baking — always making sure to have the cookie jars stocked for family visitors. She enjoyed playing cards, such as 500 and Euchre, and belonged to a card club.

Marlys is survived by her children: Michael (Patrice) of Amery, Wis.; Duane (Lynette) of Decorah; Derwin of Hart, Minnesota; and Diane (Mark) Ihde of West Union, Iowa; 10 grandchildren: Teresa (Jeff) Phillips, Jason Ihde, Jill (Mike) Kerian, Shayna (Eric) Boe, Stacey (Dan) Praska, Jeremiah (Ashlee) Falck, Shawn (Katreena) Ihde, Samantha (Justin) Hughes, Alyx (Neil) Nabholz, Samuel (Molly) Ihde; and 18 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Joan Menken, of Charles City, Iowa; and sister-in-laws: Evelyn Schnitzler of Decorah, Iowa; Norma Albertson of Calmar, Iowa; and Janice Broghammer of Decorah, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Howard, who passed away August 11, 2023; parents, Albert and Caroline Norman; parents-in-law, Fred and Verna Falck; siblings and in-laws, Cliff (Paula) Norman, Marcella (Al) Ficken, Lucille (Merle) Duenow, Phyllis (Leonard) Robinson, Alberta (Floyd) Friedrich, Jim Menken, Janice Stevenson, John Schnitzler, Louis Albertson, Vernon (Maxine) Falck, Alice (Stanley) Kurash, Jack Broghammer, and Linda (Galen) Huhe. 

A Celebration of Life in honor of Marlys and her late husband, Howard, will be held Saturday, January 13, at 11 a.m., with a visitation beginning at 10 a.m. at the St. Paul's Maple Leaf Lutheran Church in rural Elma, Iowa. 

The burial will be at Chester Hill Cemetery near Chester, at a later date.

In honor of Howard and Marlys, monetary donations to St. Croix Hospice would be appreciated in lieu of flowers.