TAMA-Marlene Mae Mathes, age 71, of Tama, died Sunday, December 27, 2009 at Marshalltown Medical and Surgical Center. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, December 31, 2009 at 10:30 AM at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Tama with Pastor Phil Borleske officiating. Interment will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Tama. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 30 from 4 to 7 PM at Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home in Tama.
Marlene was born on April 10, 1938 in Montezuma, the daughter of Arthur and Margaret (Grier) Timm. She graduated from Victor High School in 1957. Marlene was united in marriage to Billy Mathes on June 2, 1957 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Victor. She had formerly worked for Tama County Head Start, Spooners Produce, Tama County Day Care, and Hawkeye Valley Area Agency on Aging. Marlene was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Tama where she was active in many church activities. She liked flowers and taking care of her yard as well as being an avid bird watcher. Marlene's greatest joy was spending time with her family where she was the organizer for the family gatherings.
Preceding her in death were her parents; a brother-in-law, Bob Kent; and a niece, Shelly Timm.
Survivors include her husband Billy Mathes of Tama; three sons, Brian (Cherie) Mathes of Toledo, Scott (Julee) Mathes of Tama, and Tom (Jody) Mathes of Tama; her grandchildren, Ryan (Lesley) and Drew (Natasha), Levi and Abby, Logan and Landon; two great-grandchildren, Brendon and Nevaeh; her twin sister, Colene Kent of Tama; and other siblings, Dixie (Mike) Wentland of Hartwick, Gary (Johnette) Timm of Guernsey, Margaret Ann (Royce) York of Montour, and Danny Timm of Victor; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.
A memorial fund has been established.