Marilyn Grause Holcomb

Marilyn Grause Holcomb, 89, passed away peacefully in her home on February 23, 2024.

Marilyn Louise Mead was born on December 25, 1934 to Franklin and Emily Mead in Moville, Iowa.  Marilyn graduated from Bronson High in 1951 and was class Valedictorian.  In December of 1952, Marilyn was wed to Donald Roy Grause.  The marriage was blessed with 6 children, (Sue, Dan, Jane, John, Julie & Jill).  In 1970, Marilyn enrolled at Iowa Central Community College and graduated in 1972.  Her grade point was 3.976.  She worked for many years in Human Services and eventually was the Director of a four county area.  Marilyn loved helping others.  On September 1, 1984 at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa, Marilyn was wed to John W. Holcomb.  Marilyn was blessed with another daughter, Becky.  Upon marriage Marilyn and John moved to his home in Spencer.  Marilyn was the Director of Clay County General Relief.  These were happy years filled with visits with all the grandchildren and happy holidays.  Marilyn loved the Clay County Fair.

Upon retirement, Marilyn and John returned to her home in Humboldt.  Children, laughter and music always filled the old green house on 1^st Avenue North.  Marilyn was widowed in August 2012.  She remained in her home until her death, filling the home with prayer and singing.  

She grew up singing the Lord’s Praise.  She directed and sang in church choirs at Mt. Olive Baptist Church near Cherokee, Oak Hill Baptist in Humboldt and 1^st Avenue Baptist in Spencer.  Her home was always filled with singing.  Marilyn loved music, gardening, reading, playing games and watching college sports.  She loved teaching Sunday school and Awana Youth Group. 

 Marilyn was preceded in death by her husband John W. Holcomb, her first born Sue Diane White, her parents Frank and Emily Mead, brothers Merle, Larry, Jerry and LeRoy, children-in-law Curt White, Cindy Grause, Jeff Astor and Randy Jergens, sister’s-in-law Janet, Bonnie and Patricia and granddaughter Rita Pierce.

Marilyn is survived by her children; Dan Grause, Becky (Melvin) Kwaitkowski, Jane Astor, John Grause, Julie (Gary) Hendricks and Jill Jergens. Grandchildren; Cathy (Jason) Vincent, Danny (Nita) Grause, Matt (Emily) Grause, Rachel (Ryan) Turley, Max (Rose) Kwaitkowski, Jacqueline Astor, Jacob Astor, Lindsey Winter, Tyler (Nola) Winter, Darin (Amy) Hendricks, Sue Hendricks, James (Cathyleen) Hendricks, John Hendricks, Paul (Tracie) Hendricks, Blaine (Katie) Telford, Megan (Jon) Telford, Joshua Shryock and Christina (John) Weydert, many great and great-great grandchildren, loving nieces and nephews and a large extended family.

 Funeral Services will be 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 2^nd at Oak Hill Church in Humboldt.  Visitation will be from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Friday, March 1^st at the Mason-Lindhart Funeral & Cremation Service in Humboldt.  Burial will be in Arlington Cemetery, Moville, Iowa.   www.masonlindhart.com