Marlene Stelzer Rush

Marlene Stelzer Rush, 76, passed away on Friday, August 21, 2015. Marlene was born in Konstanz, Germany to Otto and Paula (Wurm) Stelzer. She graduated from both high school and a business program while growing up in Germany. Later, she met her husband Michael, who was stationed there with the Army. They fell in love and after Michael returned to the United States, it was only a matter of time before she joined him in Iowa where they began 45 years of marriage. Marlene worked for Principal Financial Group (formerly Bankers Life) until her retirement 25 years later.

Marlene had two hobbies, spending time with her children and gardening. She spent many hours with her children when they were young; playing games with them like the school teacher “Mrs. Talerico” and shopping their pretend grocery stores. She cut paper dolls, played outside with them, and taught them all manner of domesticity. Marlene was an avid gardener and if she was not spending time with her family, she could often be found working outside in her gardens.

Nicole and Jackie would like to send a special thank you to the staff at Trinity Center at Luther Park. Marlene was one of the estimated 200,000 people in the U.S. with the early-onset version of Alzheimer's disease randomly striking people before age 65 and taking a half-million lives annually. While you are too numerous to mention by name, please know that we deeply appreciate the kindness and compassion you showed for our mom in the 5 years she lived there.

Marlene is survived by her daughters, Nicole (Mike) Gathercole and Jackie Moberg; grandchildren, Kayla, Rae, Avery, and Adeline. She was preceded in death by her parents, Paula and Otto; brother, Herbert; and her husband, Michael.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or Mercy Hospice in Johnston where the nursing staff helped Mom prepare for heaven in a peaceful and dignified way.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 27 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines, IA. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, August 29 at 10 a.m. at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 8301 Aurora Ave. in Urbandale, IA followed by burial services at Glendale Cemetery in Des Moines.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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