Marie Underwood

Marie C. Underwood, 88, of Marshalltown, Iowa and formerly of Haverhill, Iowa, passed away on the morning of September 3, 2023 at the Iowa River Hospice Home in Marshalltown, Iowa surrounded by her family.

Services for Marie will be held on Friday, September 15, 2023 beginning at 11:00 A.M. at St. Francis of Assisi Parish: St. Henry Catholic Church. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 9:00-11:00 A.M. prior to the services. Memorials in Marie’s name may be directed to her family for a later designation. For additional information or to send a condolence please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234.

Marie C. Freese was born September 1, 1935 in rural Marshall County south of Haverhill. She was the youngest of four children born to Lawrence and Clothilda (Kopel) Freese. Marie grew up in Haverhill and attended St. Joseph Parochial School for her early education. She went on to attend St. Mary High School in Marshalltown where she graduated in the class of 1953.

On May 8, 1954 she was united in marriage to the love of her life Don Underwood at Immaculate Conception Catholic Oratory in Haverhill. Together they began a family of their own and had four children. Marie began work for the United States Postal Service where she served many ranks working her way up to Postmaster at Haverhill. Together Marie and Don moved to Marshalltown in the 1970’s.

In and out of her faith work, Marie was involved in various clubs and organizations. Within the church, she was a member of St. Francis of Assisi St. Henry Catholic Church, the CCW, and Altar and Rosary. She was part of various card clubs in town over the years and had other social club memberships. Additionally, Marie served as a volunteer at the Marshalltown Hospital gift shop. In her free time, she loved to do crocheting and crafting projects. She worked to make afghan blankets, prayer shawls, and made each of her grandchildren t-shirt quilts. She loved to take time to read, cheer on the St. Louis Cardinals, put together jigsaw puzzles, cooking and sharing food with everyone; and traveling to all 50 US states as well as many providences within Canada.

She is survived by her husband of 69 years, Don Underwood; her children, Dianne (Jack) Whitmore, Denise (Kevin) Holubar, and Brian (Jacki) Underwood; her grandchildren, Angela (Matt) Myers, Jannae (Collin) Lane, Justin (Jennie) Holubar, Kristin (Chris) Vowell, Katlyn (Vince Johnson) Underwood, and Kourtney (Tom Martin) Underwood; her great-grandchildren, Adeline Lane, Cora Lane, Macy Holubar, Taylor Holubar, Isaac Vowell, Isabelle Vowell, Illa Vowell, and Dacen Heuer; her sisters-in-law Alma Freese and Sally Freese; alongside several nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her son Gary Underwood; her parents, Lawrence and Clothilda Freese; and her siblings, Irene Oetker, Lloyd Freese, and Melvin Freese.

The family wishes to thank Iowa River Hospice for the care to Marie and her family in the final days of life.