Marian Duhachek

TAMA-Marian Lois Duhachek, 99, of Tama, passed away Tuesday, April 2, 2024 at UnityPoint-Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. A Memorial Service will be held Monday, April 8, 2024 at 11:00 AM at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Tama with Pastor Warren Riley officiating. Interment will follow at National Cemetery in rural Vining. A Memorial Visitation will be held Monday, April 8, 2024 from 10-11 AM prior to the service at the church.

Marian was born May 30, 1924, in Gunnison, CO to Frank and Stella (Meves) Betz in their home. After her parents moved back to Tama County, Marian attended Columbia Township No 2 country school and later graduated from Tama High School in 1942. She was also employed by the telephone company as a switchboard operator for several years. On April 26, 1943, she was united in marriage to Frank Duhachek in Marshalltown, Iowa.

Frank and Marian farmed southwest of Tama all their lives on their Century Farm. Marian’s occupation as a farm wife included keeping the books; feeding hired hands, neighbors, friends, and family with her wonderful cooking; raising their family, and helping Frank with the daily operation of the farm. They later retired to town in Tama, Iowa. In their 67 years together they enjoyed traveling, polka dancing, watching Lawrence Welk every Saturday night, and being a true loving presence in the lives of each of their 7 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Marian often reminisced about her childhood living in Colorado. Notably, life on a cattle ranch, making lemonade from mountain springs, and going to cow camp in the mountains with her father.

Marian was an active lifetime parishioner and member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Tama. She along with her sisters, were some of the earliest baptisms and confirmands of St. Paul. She was an active member of the Lydia Circle well into her nineties.

Marian loved to quilt and enjoyed the craftmanship involved in quilting. She loved to bake, especially rollicky and kolaches, and enjoyed instructing others how to make them. She also enjoyed playing cards, game shows, doing word finds, and watching the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Wonderful memories of food, friends, and family come to mind when thinking of Marian, but especially how kind and supportive she was to so many.

Surviving her are her loving family including her children; Janice Custer of Tama, Linda (Rick) Bostian of Edmond, OK and Richard (Nancy) Duhachek of West Des Moines; seven grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Frank on November 28, 2010; her daughter, Carol (Bob) Brecht; and sisters, Ruth Smith and Margaret Ramsdell.

Memorials may be directed to St. Paul Lutheran Church in Tama.

Kruse-Phillips, Tama-Toledo, is assisting the family with arrangements.