Marian A. Chase West Des Moines, Iowa

Marian Abbie Chase died on February 18, 2013. She was 98.

Marian was born on a farm in Murray County, and raised in Osceola, Iowa until she went to Northern Iowa University.

She became a teacher, moving to Toledo, Iowa for her first teaching job. It was there that she met and married Robert L. Chase. They moved to Des Moines in 1943. Together they had three children, Mary Jane Muehlhausen, William Chase, and Robert (Tip) Chase. They had nine grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and brother Col. Wayne Lambertson.

At age 50 Marian was awarded her Master’s Degree from Drake University while teaching junior high math in Urbandale. Former students say that she was never too busy to give them extra help with their math or to talk, when they just needed a friend. Education was her passion. After she retired from teaching she was elected to the Urbandale School Board. She worked tirelessly on school bond issues, helping secure the funding for the present performing arts auditorium. She also spearheaded a survey that resulted in an allocation of federal funds for building Olmsted School. She was president of the PTA. Her motto to family and students was “what you put in your brain, nobody can take away.” To the end, Marian kept up on most all current events and loved nothing better than to debate issues of politics and religion.

Marian was involved with the Iowa Department of Social Services for nursing home care, Urbandale Lion’s Club, Garden Club, Women’s Fellowship of Urbandale UCC Church, Living History Farm, Discovery Shop supporting hospice, Eastern Star and several bridge groups. She was voted Urbandale “Citizen of the Year” in 1984. She counted herself lucky to be with people of different ages and generations. She loved talking with former students and many stayed in touch with her; some as recently as this Christmas.

Gardening was perhaps Marian’s first love beginning at age 5 with a gift of a rose bush from her grandfather. Most people who knew Marian knew of her love of gardening. She felt a responsibility to maintain her garden so others could enjoy it. She kept her interest by saying “You never know what will be up and blooming tomorrow. Each day there is something that is just too good to miss.”