Mildred L. Marsh

Mildred L. Marsh passed away on Dec. 31, 2022 at Oakview Inc. Care Center in Conrad, Iowa. She was born in Chapin, Iowa, the only child of Raymond L. Lister and Lola H. (Bridges) Lister, on July 22, 1930.

The daughter of a railroad depot agent, Mildred and her parents moved frequently around the state of Iowa. In fact, by the time Mildred reached the sixth grade, she had moved eighteen times. In 1944, the Listers were assigned to the depot in Lawn Hill, Iowa, and Mildred attended and graduated from New Providence High School in 1948. During those high school years, Mildred met Fred Marsh, and so began a love story that would span over 70 years. Fred and Mildred were married on Aug. 1, 1948 in the New Providence Friends Church. They made their home in the family farmhouse where they raised three daughters and a foster son.

Mildred was an active member of the Honey Creek Friends Church, and later the Honey Creek-New Providence Friends Church. She was a member of the Music, Art, and Drama Club at Honey Creek, and later helped organize the South Hardin Christian Women's Club. She also served on the Iowa Yearly Meeting Women's Reading Course.

During the 1980s, Mildred opened and operated the Honey Creek Crafts shop in her home. Her shop was open for seven years. Mildred had numerous consignors and added her own ceramic creations to a wide variety of craft items. She incorporated all these activities into her job as a full-time farmer's wife.

In 1970, Fred and Mildred made a missionary journey to Kenya, East Africa. In addition to lending support to missionaries Marvin and Doris Hoeksema, Mildred taught a sewing class to Kenyan Women at the Friends Bible Institute. Enroute to Kenya, the Marshes visited Switzerland, Italy, and the Holy Land.

Mildred and Fred spent seventeen winters in Apache Junction, Arizona, where Mildred baked over thirty loaves of bread for the monthly craft sales in their residential park. She also sang in their park's chorus, which was directed by Fred.

Mildred and Fred spent many happy hours with their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She stated, "We had fun hanging a lot of wallpaper for family and friends." She faithfully supported Fred in all aspects of his gospel music ministry and has missed him sorely since his passing in 2018. We rejoice that Mildred is in the loving arms of her Savior, and reunited with her beloved Fred.

Mildred is survived by daughters Julie (Kevin) Burkett of New Providence, Peg (Dave) Harrell of New Providence, Joan (Wayne) Riskedahl of Eldora, foster son Jim Langfitt of New Providence, seven grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be directed to the Honey Creek Preservation Group or the Honey Creek Cemetery Fund. A memorial service will be held in the Springtime at a date to be announced.