Marilyn Beth (Barrett) SMITH HRUBES

BARRETT, HRUBES, CHRISTENSEN, SMITH, MAACH, SCHULTZ, HESS, FREIDLEY, JOHNSON, ROWLES, WILLIAMSON, BORK

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/16/2010 at 12:49:04

January 19, 1926 – February 13, 2010

Johnston, Iowa -- Marilyn Beth (Barrett) Hrubes, 84, was born in Plover, IA to Herbert and Cristel (Christensen) Barrett. She enjoyed a long, rewarding career as a kindergarten teacher, beginning in one-room country schools in Humbolt County in the 1940's. She also taught in Cedar Falls and at several schools in Des Moines, including Hubbell Elementary. Many of her students remembered her as their favorite teacher. She grew up in Rolfe, Ia; Dundee, Oregon; and Indianola, before returning to her home town, graduating from Rolfe High School in 1943. Marilyn attended the University of Colorado in Boulder and Iowa State Teacher's College in Cedar Falls, IA where she earned her teachers certificate and eventually her BA in Elementary Education in 1962.

Marilyn met and married Ellwyn E. (Bus) Smith in 1949 at the Congregational Church in Eagle Grove, IA. To this union, three children: Lizabeth Jo, Timothy Craig, and Lisa Lynn were born. They made their first home in Eagle Grove, then moved to Cedar Falls in 1961, before moving to Lakewood, IA in 1967. Her second marriage to George (Mike) Hrubes, lasted a wonderful 34 years until George passed away in 2006. They made their home together on 34th Place in the Beaverdale neighborhood of Des Moines. George and Marilyn loved their pets including their cat, Sammy, their little ranch home, and the Chicago Cubs!

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Dorthea, husband George, and daughter Lisa. She is survived by her brother Herb (Julia) Barrett, children Liz (Denny) Maach and Tim Smith, step-son Robert (Lynn) Hrubes, step-daughter Becky (Terry) Schultz, son-in-law Joel Hess, grandchildren: Tony (Amber) Freidley, Shannon Johnson, Rachel Johnson, Matt Rowles, Rachael, Sarah, and Ryan Williamson; and great-grandchildren: Hailey Freidley, Christopher Johnson, Donovan Bork, and Kaden Williamson.

Services for Marilyn will be held on Thursday, February 18th, at 11 a.m. at Westover Funeral Home, 6337 Hickman Rd., Des Moines. Please join the family following the service for food and fellowship. Visitation will be on Wednesday, February 17 at Westover from 5 to 7 p.m. Memorial contributions can be made to the Valley Grove Preservation Society in Nerstrand, MN. or to the Animal Rescue League of Iowa.

Des Moines Register, Iowa
February 15, 2010