Marla Van Dee

Marla Van Dee, 81 of Deep River passed away Monday evening, January 19, 2026 at the UnityPoint Grinnell Regional Medical Center. Mass of a Christian Burial will begin at 10:30 am Monday, January 26, 2026 at the St. Bridget Catholic Church in Victor. Burial will be held in the Armah Cemetery near North English. Visitation will be held Sunday afternoon, January 25, 2026 from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the Holland-Coble Funeral Home in Montezuma with the Rosary Prayer beginning at 2:30 pm. Memorials may be made to the Deep River Fire Department or the Montezuma Ambulance. Holland-Coble Funeral Home of Montezuma is in charge of arrangements.

Marla Jean Wehrle Van Dee was born March 24, 1944 in Oskaloosa, Iowa, to Lyal and Frances (Blagg) Wehrle. She was raised on her family farm west of New Sharon, Iowa, where her love for family and friends was cultivated. She graduated from New Sharon High School and following high school attended Central College in Pella, Iowa.

Marla married Gerald "Jerry" Van Dee on June 15, 1963 at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Brooklyn, Iowa. Marla and Jerry resided in Pella for a short time, until Jerry started his own earth moving business, and they moved to Deep River, Iowa.

Marla and Jerry raised their four kids on a small farm east of Deep River. Marla spent most of her time being a homemaker, raising her kids, and being the bookkeeper for Jerry's Land Improvement. She was a volunteer leader for the Deep River Lassies 4-H Club and also a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), where she held the offices of Chapter Regent, Vice-Regent, Registrar and Secretary. Marla was also very active in her church, St. Bridget, Victor, Iowa attending Bible Study, Altar and Rosary Society, and volunteering where needed.

Marla rarely missed any event or party (especially if it involved her grandkids or great-grandkids). She loved hosting wherever she was and would always stay, until the very end, and help with cleanup.

Her famous lemon squares were unbeatable along with many other desserts she always loved testing out. She made the best peanut butter fudge (that we would all get sick from eating too much). She never said no to playing a game of kickball in the backyard with her grandkids or reading any and every book her great-grands brought to her.

Marla didn't know a stranger and could strike up a conversation with anyone and make a friend immediately. She had a way with making people feel welcomed and loved.

Marla happily stayed on the farm following Jerry's death in 2021. She spent hours tending her beloved garden (she shared with all her family) and keeping the farm looking beautiful without a hair out of place. Her dedication to her faith, hard work, and welcoming spirit will be something her family will strive to emulate forever.

Marla had a love for her faith and hunger for knowledge for life after death. She never stopped reading her book and studying her Bible. Her family has peace knowing she now has the answers she's been waiting so long to know.

Marla's memory will be honored by her children, Laura (Mark) Ballou, Lana (Gary) Wanders, Lane (Tina) Van Dee and Laird (Stephanie) Van Dee.

She is also survived by her grandchildren and their families: Antario, Anthony and Joseph Ballou, Ethan (Keelie) Wanders, Abbie (Mike) Brown and their children, Grant, Grady and Gabbie; Ann (Paul) Sauter, their children, Halle, Perri, Lyal; Amara (Andy) Mart and their children, Lyndi, Olsen, Malcom, Bensen; Cassie (Trace) Roberts and children, Desirae, Tillie, Emmarie, Lyndee; Jamie (Wyatt) Van Dee and their children, Brantley and Tucker; Isaac and Jolynne Roeder, and Madeline and Lincoln Van Dee.

She is also survived by her brothers-in-law, Camiel Landuyt and David (Carol) Van Dee; sisters-in-law, Pat Wehrle, and Iowa Ann Van Hamme.

Marla was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry; her parents, a great-granddaughter, Tessa Jean Sauter; brother Bill Wehrle; sister Marcia Landuyt; brothers-in-law, Marion (Betty) Van Dee, James (Janet) Van Dee and Mark Seaton.