De Graaf, Marlene J. 1935-2020

DE GRAAF, VAN GILST, MOLENAAR, OLSON, GONNERMAN, MABREY, SCOTT, BAAS, ROYER, WIESE

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 7/13/2021 at 21:35:38

Marlene J. De Graaf
December 20, 1935 - January 18, 2020

VISITATION 24 FRIDAY
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Prairie City Christian Reformed Church
608 E 6th Street
Prairie City, Iowa 50228

SERVICE 25 SATURDAY
10:30 AM
Prairie City Christian Reformed Church
608 E 6th Street
Prairie City, Iowa 50228

Marlene Joan De Graaf, age 84 of Prairie City, passed away on Saturday, January 18, 2020 at Taylor House in Des Moines. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 25, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. at the Prairie City Christian Reformed Church. Burial will follow at Waveland Cemetery. Visitation will take place on Friday, January 24, 2020 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the church. Memorials may be directed to World Renew and condolences may be left for the family at www.coburnfuneralhomes.com

Marlene Joan Van Gilst was born on December 22, 1935 to John and Marie (Molenaar) Van Gilst. She was the youngest of 3 children. The oldest daughter passed away in infancy. After completing some business courses in high school, Marlene worked at D&P Lumber in Newton as a bookkeeper for 5 years.

Marlene married Marvin De Graaf on February 21, 1958. To this union, three children were born: Rodney Gene, Judith Ann, and Sharon Marie. There were many tasks as a farm wife to fulfill including gardening, raising chickens, feeding harvesters, and keeping books for the dairy, livestock, and crops. Yet Marlene still found time to assist teachers and children at the school and Prairie City CRC where she was a member.

She enjoyed nurturing her friends and family, including 10 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren with generous hospitality, loving smiles, and kind words. In the later part of life, Marlene held onto hope as she faced many physical sufferings with courage, strength, and perseverance. With a gathering of family, Marvin and Marlene celebrated their steadfast love and devotion at their 60th wedding anniversary in February 2018.

Marlene was preceded in death by her parents and parents-in-law Gerrit and Wilhelmina De Graaf. She was also preceded by her infant sister, brother Raymond Van Gilst, and sister-in-law Marjorie Van Gilst. She is survived by her husband, Marvin De Graaf, three children, and their families: Rodney and Karen De Graaf, Marshall, MN, Kyle and Katie De Graaf, Chino, CA, Katelyn, Brooklyn, and Madison; Kristina and Nick Olson, Chanhassen, MN Micah Jon and Lindsey De Graaf, Spencer, IA; Judy and Robert Mabrey, Urbandale, IA, Melissa and Josh Gonnerman, Waukee, IA, Allie and Milo; Rachel Mabrey, Broken Bow, NE, and friend Nate Scott, and Austin Mabrey, SDSU; Sharon and Michael Baas, Kansas City, MO, Justin Baas, Prairie Village, KS, and fiancé Zoe Royer; Brandon Baas, Williamsburg, IA, and fiancé Caty Wiese, Kaira Baas, Kansas City, MO , MWCCC and Ryan Baas, Smithville High. ~ The Coburn Funeral Home, Prairie City, Iowa 18 Jan 2020.