Marlene Kunch

Marlene Kunch, 77, of Marshalltown, Iowa gained her heavenly wings on the afternoon of Saturday, December 24, 2022 at UnityPoint Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa.

A celebration of life for Marlene will be held on Tuesday, January 3, 2023 beginning at 10:30 A.M. at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home. A visitation for family and friends will be held one hour prior to the services. All attendees are encouraged to wear Marlene's favorite color, purple in her memory. Memorials in Marlene’s name may be directed to the family for a later designation to animal rescue. For additional information or to send a condolence to the family please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234.

Marlene Ann Long was born April 8, 1945 to parents Harley and Thelma Rae (Lister) Long at Evangelical Deaconess Hospital in Marshalltown, Iowa. She attended school in Conrad, Iowa and graduated from Beaman Conrad High School in 1963. After high school she attended Marshalltown Community College for two years where she received her Associates Degree.

On July 9, 1965, Marlene was united in marriage to Dwayne Andrews at the Conrad United Methodist Church in Conrad, Iowa. Together they resided in rural Marshall County, where they raised their daughter Bev. Marlene worked in the Marshalltown Community School District in the kitchen for many years, retiring in 2007. Marlene also worked other part-time jobs over the years, including Earl May Garden Center and Country Kitchen. Dwayne gained his heavenly wings June 20, 1992. Marlene was later united in marriage to Bill Whitaker on March 10, 1995. Bill passed away August 3, 2002. Marlene was later united in marriage to James Kunch on November 16, 2007. Together they resided at their home in Marshalltown with their Pomeranian Brandy and later their Miniature Schnauzer Jazzy. James passed away November 19, 2021.

In her free time, Marlene was a member of the Women of the Moose #71, Hope United Methodist Church in Marshalltown and the Memory Brothers Fan Club. Dwayne and Marlene celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary in 1990 at the Moose Lodge while dancing to the music of the Memory Brothers. She enjoyed singing in the church choir, playing the piano, tending to her flower and vegetable gardens, and working on various sewing and crafting projects. Spending time with family, her furbabies and “grandcritters” were very important to her. Marlene enjoyed her many trips to Arizona to spend time with Bev, Mike and the “grandcritters”. During her visits, she saw the Grand Canyon, Sedona, the Dolly Steamboat and many cacti.

Mom was a humble, kind and caring person. She loved to watch The Andy Griffith Show and I Love Lucy. In fact, she could always tell you what each episode was about each time it was on tv. She loved the Bridges of Madison County and collected all of the covered bridge statues to display. Mom also collected cup and saucer sets wherever she travelled and displayed them all in a special curio cabinet. Mom loved purses and kept her eyes open for a new one whenever she was out and about. She loved coming to visit all of her “grandcritters” and knew them all by name. Mom was not choosy about most things, but when it came to peanut butter it had to be Jif and coffee had to be Folgers. Mom was also Ms. February in the “Marshalltown Calendar Girls 2005” calendar which benefitted Iowa River Hospice. Mom had an infectious smile and was loved by all who knew her.

Those left to remember Marlene and cherish her memory are her daughter, Bev (Mike Kaider) Andrews; her furbaby Jazzy, her “grandcritters”: dogs, cats, horses, mules, donkey, goats, chickens, and guineas; her sisters-in law, Carolyn Salasek and Virginia (Billy) Long; her brother Robert Long; alongside many extended family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her first husband Dwayne Andrews; her second husband Bill Whitaker; her third husband James Kunch; her parents, Harley and Thelma Rae Long, Brandy her Pomeranian and many “grandcritters”.