Marilyn Heithoff

Marilyn Kay Heithoff (82) of Urbandale passed away on July 13, 2019 at Mercy Hospice in Johnston, following a long battle with cancer. She was held in the arms of her family when she took her last breath on earth, and her first breath in heaven. Marilyn was born on August 28th, 1936 on a farm in Willey, Iowa to the parents of Bernard (Ben) and Mary Grossman. She was the youngest of three brothers and seven sisters. In 1954, she graduated from St. Angela Academy in Carroll, Iowa. She then proceeded with her childhood dream of becoming a beautician, graduating from the American Beauty School. Mom met the love of her life, Wayne and the two were married on April 23rd, 1955 (64 years) and have been inseparable ever since. She then went on to own and operate two beauty salons. The last beauty salon she operated was McCauley Terrace in Johnston, Iowa for 16 years, then retired in 1999. Marilyn loved her profession as she enjoyed visiting and making her clients happy. Marilyn's greatest blessing in life was being a wife, mother, grandmother (Meme), and great-grandmother. Marilyn spent her life giving to others. She had a very strong Christian faith and loved her daily devotional readings. Marilyn was a member of St. Pius Catholic Church in Urbandale for many years. Marilyn loved her family, her flower garden, and her wonderful neighbors. Marilyn embraced life and was so vibrant, vivacious, and a social butterfly. One of the many ways she showed love was through her cooking. Her fried chicken, homemade chicken and noodles, and spaghetti will be greatly missed. She was an accomplished cook and baker (Meme’s cookies were her specialty) and she enjoyed sharing the fruits of that labor with all. Marilyn was a lifelong Hawkeye fan and faithfully followed their football and basketball games with Wayne. Her most beloved memories are those she cherished with her grandchildren. Meme was a wonderful, caring, and loving woman who always led by example. Her love will be felt by everyone she touched in her life. No matter the distance between us, we take comfort in knowing that she is watching over us all. She will forever be in our hearts and missed dearly. Marilyn leaves her husband of 64 years, Wayne Heithoff; her sons, Dan (Dina) Heithoff of Bullard, Texas and Rick (Linda) Heithoff of North Canton, Ohio; her daughters, Tami Stapleton of Overland Park, Kansas, and Teri (Scott) Fritcher of Urbandale, Iowa. Marilyn leaves behind nine grandchildren whom she loved very much; Miranda Wheeler, Megan (Kyle) Noble, Deandra Heithoff, Andrew Heithoff, Danielle (Erik) Knudsen, Katelyn Fritcher, David Heithoff, Dalton Heithoff, Cassidy Fritcher, as well as her three great-grandchildren; Grayson and Averi Noble and Freya Wheeler. Her sisters, Imelda Kerkhoff and Delores (Jim) Greenwood, and sister-in-law Lorena Grossman, as well as brother-in-law, Ed Tigges. She was preceded in death by her parents, Bernard and Mary Grossman; sisters, Lucy Anna Grossman (infancy), Rita Tigges, Helen Thielen, Marie Thielen, Freda Tigges; brothers, Andrew Grossman (infancy), Louis Grossman, and Robert Grossman; sister-in-law, Marian Grossman; and brothers-in-law, William Thielen, Charles Thielen, Meryl Kerkhoff, and Joe Tigges. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St. Pius X Catholic Church or Mercy Hospice. Until we meet again, Meme. We love you!