Marvel Louise Smith

Marvel Louise (Mrs. Warren) Smith, 85, of DeWitt Iowa, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, May 7, 2023.

Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. Friday, May 12, 2023, at Schultz Funeral Home, DeWitt. The Funeral Service be held at 11:00 a.m. in the funeral home, with burial following at Elmwood Cemetery, DeWitt. Memorials will be used to support local 4-H programs, The Pregnancy Center in Clinton, and the Arthritis Foundation of Iowa.

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Marvel was born July 1, 1937, at her maternal grandparent’s home near Keswick, Iowa. The daughter of Charles Harry and Elizabeth (McCulley) Acord. At the age of four, she moved with her parents from a farm in Keokuk County to one in northern Mahaska County.

She attended a one room schoolhouse for two years, but following closure of that school, she finished her education at Montezuma Iowa. Marvel was very active in school activities. She received the D.A.R. Good Citizenship Award and was also chosen as a representative to Girl’s State in 1954. Marvel especially enjoyed music and participated in both the vocal and instrumental departments. She graduated as valedictorian of the Montezuma High School class of 1955.

Following high school graduation, Marvel began her secretarial career with McFarlin & McFarlin Law Firm, and the Poweshiek County Attorney's Office in Montezuma.

She and Warren Smith were married on September 16, 1956, at the Montezuma Iowa Methodist Church. In 1959 they moved to DeWitt when Warren accepted an offer to work at the I.H. dealership.

After her children were in school Marvel began her secretarial career as an office assistant, working at the Clinton County Extension Office for over 26 years. One of her many duties was working with the 4-H program. During the yearly Clinton County Fair, her time was spent in the fair headquarters, which, among many other duties, also involved keeping track of all the 4-H/FFA/open class exhibitors and their placings.

For her dedicated work, Marvel received the Clinton County Fair Hall of Fame Award in 1999. In 2014, she was selected by the Clinton County Youth Committee to represent Clinton County for the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame Award which was presented at the Iowa State Fair.

Marvel enjoyed being involved in her children's activities both as a Girl Scout leader and a Boy Scout den mother.

She was also very active in the Dewitt United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday school, led the summer Bible School program, was the chair of the Mission and Memorial committees and was church treasurer for 11 years.

Marvel followed her love of music by singing with the DeWitt community choir, The Village Voices, for many years. She thoroughly enjoyed attending the grandchildrens’ school programs, sports contests, plays, or concerts. Taking grandkids camping was the highlight of each summer. Marvel and Warren had many friends with whom they played cards, camped, and canoed. Marvel was also the bookkeeper for her husband's business, Warren's Repair.

Surviving Marvel is Warren, her husband of 66 years; her children, Laura Wold/Norcross, Stanley (Tina) Smith, and Anita (Lindy) Ilg, all of DeWitt; grandchildren, Josh (Carmella) Wold, Jared Wold, Natalie (Andrew) Houkal, Emily (Chuy) Rameriz, Josie Smith, and Dean Smith, Candace (Kendall) Claeys, Allyson (Cassin) Moseley, and Hunter Ilg; great-grandchildren, Dennis and Angelina Wold, Colton Claeys, identical twins Asher and Benjamin Claeys, Jules and Zoey Mosley, and Lilana Ramirez. She is also survived by one sister, Betty Snook of Montezuma, and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Marvel was preceded in death by her parents, an infant grandson, Reece Ilg, son-in-law, Dennis Wold, son-in-law, Doug Norcross, brother-in-law, Edward Snook, and in-laws, Marvin and Mildred (Mimi) Gass.

Arrangements are in the care of Schultz Funeral Home, DeWitt. Condolences may be expressed at www.schultzfuneralhomes.com

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