Marlene Casey

Marlene Casey, age 66, of Mountain Grove, Missouri and formerly of Newell, Iowa died July 26, 2017 in Springfield, Missouri. Funeral services will be held Monday, July 31, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. at the Fratzke and Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake, Iowa. Burial will be in the Newell Cemetery. Visitation will take place Sunday, July 30, 2017 from 2-5:00 p.m at the Fratzke and Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake. The Fratzke and Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements. Marlene Casey, age 66, of Mountain Grove, Missouri and formerly of Newell, Iowa died July 26, 2017 in Springfield, Missouri. Marlene June (Richardson) Casey was born March 21st (she'd prefer we not share the year). She was born in the Laurens hospital and into a loving home of Harold and June Richardson. Marlene was baptized at the First Christian Church at Laurens, Iowa. Raised on a farm, Marlene knew the work it took to feed and take care of a family, as she was one of eight living children born into this family. After going to schools in the Laurens area for years, she went to beauty school in Storm Lake, Iowa. She met Donald Casey (who at that time was in school in Colorado) through a classmate at beauty school. Don and Marlene exchanged letters for a while until Don came back to Storm Lake. They were married December 6th, 1970 and made their home in Storm Lake, Iowa. It wasn't long until Don and Marlene began growing their family, Carrie was born in '72; Donnelle in '74; and Nathan in '76. A few years passed and the family grew again when Jessica was born in '82. Marlene loved being a mom and taking care of her children. Marlene was a faithful member of the Church of Christ in Storm Lake, Iowa and sought to use her gifts through the years in many ways. She cooked and cleaned, organized and collected; gardened and decorated anything and anywhere she went. With our Mom, everything had its place; even the table when covered with stuff, was so carefully sorted we weren't to touch. Hours of endless baking for get-togethers and holidays, her homemade rolls and bread were the best; only to be paired with her famous apple butter; her cinnamon rolls were made to perfection, the caramel and pecans the finishing touch. She usually had 4 or 5 different recipes going at once; flops would happen, and Dad enjoyed them; But leave no doubt, this mother of ours could put out a feast. Her love for pecan pie, smoked up the house each time, as she filled those pans so full, that her next task was cleaning the oven. She took pride in her garden, and flower beds as well, when we were all young, she'd be snapping beans and canning, making anything she could from the load of produce she grew. Hours were spent weeding and picking, watering and judging just how things were coming along. Let's not forget the rhubarb, crisps, cobblers, and sauces on ice cream and her famous caramels at Christmas time. Marlene made us a lot of clothes; again flawless and so lovingly made; her talents were many and she shared when she could. Mom sought to share her talents and time in many places through the years including Rebeccas, the Junior Federated Club, Boyscouts, Girlscouts, 4-H. She served in various capacities at her church including a VBS director and teacher, Sunday school teacher, Bible Bowl leader, and various other committees. She is fondly remembered for running her own restaurant (MJ's Coffeepot) for a short time in downtown Newell, having a in-home daycare, and being a cook at the school where her children attended. Marlene even filled in for a time working as a teacher's aide/ para. Marlene also served on the Fireman's Auxiliary in Newell, Iowa. Marlene decorated her children's birthday cakes, made mints for graduations and weddings; to which she had every detail down. Organized. Our mom was organized. Even when we were older, Mom always was there, just a phone call away for advice, venting and loving words and became quite proficient and texting to keep in touch with both children and grandchildren. Mom made mistakes, she'd even admit it. But something she did right, really really right, she loved the Lord, and had a passion for His word; she loved and adored our dad, raised us kids with morals, and was not afraid to say no. Her arms and home were always open; her biggest pride was her grandchildren; she was the best. Even when cancer attacked, Marlene fought bravely, and beat it during the first round. She expressed faith in her heavenly Father, and knew her life was in His loving hands. When the cancer returned, Marlene continued to trust in her Savior. She enjoyed a recent visit with her children all together before passing into the arms of God. You are forever in heaven now mom, and in our hearts you will rest. She is survived by her loving husband of 46 ½ years, Don Casey, her four children, Carrie (Steven) Davis of Marshall, Minnesota; Donnelle (special friend Pete Pearson) Schultz of Cherokee, Iowa; Nathan (Kristi) Casey of Hebron, Nebraska; and Jessica (Damon) Staton of Newell, Iowa. Her many grandchildren: Kody, Hannah, Samuel (fiancé Heather), Logan; Toby, Maxwell, Levi, Caleb; Keegan, Cooper, Tylene, Kinley, Ellie, and her granddoggy, Willie. She is also survived by her Mother, June Richardson, siblings- Marjorie, Nancy, Steven, Neil, David, Brian and Leslie. Many nieces and nephews, cousins and friends. Marlene was preceded in death by two infant sisters, Margaret and Marilyn; her grandparents, and her father, Harold Richardson.

Marlene Casey

March 21, 1951 - July 26, 2017