Marcie Lynn Coleman (1965-2021)

COLEMAN, MENSTER, THEIS

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 8/19/2021 at 20:31:33

Marcie Lynn (Menster) Coleman

August 13, 2021

Marcie Lynn (Menster) Coleman (1965-2021) died on August 13, 2021 of complications of cancer and cyclospora. She courageously, humbly and optimistically battled a rare cancer, pheochromocytoma for 20 years. She died at home, in the loving care of her husband and children.

Friends are invited to join Marcie's family on Monday, August 16, at Holy Trinity Church in Beaverdale for a Visitation from 4:30 - 7 pm. A Memorial Prayer Service will be held at 7 pm in which friends will share their memories. Join our celebration of her life at a funeral Mass at Holy Trinity Church on Tuesday, August 17 at 10:30 am.

Left to cherish a lifetime of memories is her best friend and husband, Chris Coleman. They met on the first day of college and each knew God made them for each other. They were married on July 6, 1991 and raised their beloved family in Des Moines. Together, they built a life of love and commitment to family and believed that hospitality wasn't just a word, it was their way. The support they had for each other became an unstoppable force of strength when challenges were before them, as well as the spirit behind the fun and joy that they shared each and every day.

Blessed to be Marcie's children are Nick (Becca), Maggie, Jesse (Anna), Katie, and Ellie. They are a living tribute to her grace, sincerity, generosity, and welcoming spirit. Cancer can devastate families, but the Coleman children selflessly sacrificed and loved their mama, no matter the impact on their own lives.

Marcie was born to be a mom, and committed all her energy and time to her kids. She thrived in chaotic schedules of sports, musicals and school plays, birthday parties, sleepovers, and fun with their extended family. She made sure everyone felt at home in their house. She taught her kids her favorite sport, tennis. She was a fierce competitor, except when she would occasionally let Chris win (which was never.) Their family bike rides took them all through the community and neighborhoods they loved. She treasured those moments when everyone was together playing games or quoting 'Pink Panther" or relaxing together on her beautiful patio or front porch. She was their super fan, whether it was the high school musical, a cross-country or tennis meet, cheerleading, mock trial or all of their other passions.

Perhaps the greatest gift she gave her children was her unconditional love - love of their dad and each of them individually. Her children share many qualities they inherited from Marcie, but her impact as their mom is that she treasured each one for their uniqueness.

But most of all, she was so deeply proud of how her children have grown into kind, wise, faithful, and family-centered adults who have already left their individual mark in their community and will continue to make a difference in this world.

Everything she did was accomplished with her signature caring, generosity, and creativity. Her talent in the kitchen was rivaled only by her own affinity for tasty treats, especially ice cream. Her creativity with everything from treasured gifts she made for her family and friends to the DIY projects that were not just homemade, but created with her unique skill and finesse. She dedicated so much time and effort to getting things just right, including sewing all her bridesmaids' gowns for her wedding, the kids' Halloween costumes and their beloved graduation blankets, and creating the crafty home decor that graced their house.

Born Marcie Menster in Davenport, Iowa to parents she adored, Donald and Georgette (Theis), she was so proud to be part of the large Menster family. She grew up with her siblings as her friends and that never ended. In the last years, she especially enjoyed their weekly Menster Zoom calls as they shared updates and laughs as they swapped stories of their children, cross country road trips and other warm moments, bringing them close together just as Marcie needed them. She leaves behind Michelle McPeek (Marcos), Marty Menster, Mitzi Hetherton (Todd), Molly Sio-Menster (Tina), and Maria Van Leer (Will).

Marcie was also cherished by the Coleman family who considered her one of their own and leaves behind her father-in-law, Ron Coleman, and inlaws, Annie & Dan Broos, Tom & Kim Coleman, Teri & Steve Siembieda, Ronda & Dave Rottjakob, and Patsy & Joe Piazza.

She prized her 32 nieces and nephews. She was especially proud to be a Godmother to ten.

Marcie was preceded in death by mother-in-law Kathleen Coleman and niece Ellen Rottjakob.

In addition to her dedication to her beloved children, Marcie was an accomplished educator and public servant. Her life of service began upon graduation from St. Ambrose. She became a VISTA volunteer in Appalachia, where she quickly developed expertise in helping women learn to read and write, enabling thousands to change their family's future forever.

She returned to Iowa to marry Chris and started a 25-year career as a Family Counselor & Administrator at Children's and Families of Iowa, and a DMACC GED Instructor. Most recently, Marcie loved teaching preschool at Westside Early Learning (WEE) and leading a United Way program, Play and Learn in Des Moines parks.

With their beloved Holy Trinity Church and the kids' schools as their anchor, Marcie enthusiastically invested her time and talent to make these thrive. She was a 20-year Home Room Mom, and served on the Holy Trinity Board of Education, and was President of the Holy Trinity PTO and an officer of the Dowling Parents Guild. She channeled her holiday spirit coordinating Mrs. Claus's Cafe at the Beaverdale Craft Boutique. She was a coach and Girl Scout leader and she planned her summer around leading amazing crafts at VBS.

Her selfless service and work as a community champion of the vulnerable led the Des Moines Mayor and City Council to name the beautiful bridge connecting downtown to Gray's Lake after Marcie and her family.

Memorial gifts can be made to "Marcie Coleman Fund" which will allow her children to support, in her honor and yours, WEE Preschool, the student retreats at Holy Trinity and Dowling Catholic, and the ministry of Sr. Joyce Rupp, - all things that meant so much to her.

Marcie will be missed dearly but she leaves a legacy of love and goodness that will impact generations. Marcie's walk home was one of enormous faith, courage, and strength. May her life inspire you to improve the lives of others with humility, kindness, sacrifice, courage, prayer, and love of family - perhaps shared lovingly with a side of something homemade and sweet like one of her soft sugar cookies or her famous Marcie Mix.

To plant trees in memory, please visit our Sympathy Store.
Published by Quad-City Times on Aug. 15, 2021.