Marianne Kiewiet

Marianne June Kiewiet, 86, of Grundy Center, passed away peacefully, on Tuesday, April 27th at the Grundy County Memorial Hospital in Grundy Center, while under the care of Cedar Valley Hospice. The funeral service for Marianne will be held on Saturday, May 1, 2021 at 10:30 AM at the American Lutheran Church in Grundy Center, with Pastor Luther Thoresen officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral service, at the church. Burial will follow services at the Rosehill Cemetery in Grundy Center. Masks and social distancing are recommended. Memorials may be directed to the family and messages of condolence and memories of Marianne can be left at www.abelsfuneralhomes.com. The Abels Funeral & Cremation Service-Engelkes Chapel in Grundy Center has been entrusted with services. For further assistance, you may call the funeral home at (319) 824-3319.

Marianne June Diekman was born on the family farm, south of Parkersburg on June 9, 1934, to her parents Harm & Effie (Nederhoff) Diekman. She attended school in Parkersburg, where she graduated high school. It was on a Lutheran Church trip where Marianne would meet the love of her life, Dennis Kiewiet. The two were married on September 26, 1952, at the Bethel Lutheran Church in Parkersburg. Only two weeks after the couple were married, Dennis received his letter to be drafted into the service. While away, Marianne welcomed their first child, son Rod. The couple were then blessed with three more children. She worked as a homemaker, caring for her family but also worked alongside her husband in their dairy farming business. In 1995, Dennis and Marianne moved into Grundy Center, where they have made their home ever since.

Later in life, Marianne painted many interiors of local homes, along with her friend Ines Peters; painting was something Marianne thoroughly enjoyed. In her free time, she enjoyed playing cards and her and Dennis belonged to a monthly card club with several other couples; mostly playing 500. They also enjoyed their Sunday night potlucks with friends. She also enjoyed embroidering, making tea towels, with the goal of making a set of tea towels for every day of the week, for each of her grandchildren. Marianne also loved to go fishing, spending weekends with her family at their trailer at Lake Pepin, in Lake City, Minnesota.

She was a member of the American Lutheran Church in Grundy Center where she was very active in the church; she was in various circles, calling for help with meals, and quilting. Marianne was a hard worker; she was a true care giver and she was strong; strong in her faith, and strong in everything that surrounded her. Her family also said she was known to be very clean; she could probably be seen with a rag in her hands! What brought the most joy to Marianne, was her family; she was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who will be dearly missed.

She is survived by her loving husband Dennis of 68 years, of Grundy Center; children Dennis “Rod” (Lorraine) Kiewiet of Altadena, CA, Steve (Sue) Kiewiet of Silvis, IL, Mark (Shelly) Kiewiet of Grundy Center and Sue (Dan) Ewoldt of Traer, IA; grandchildren Matthew Kiewiet, Cassie (Tommy) Barnes, Clint Kiewiet, Kellie McClanahan (Donnie Roberts), Ross Kiewiet, Ryan Kiewiet, Andy (Kelly) Ewoldt, and Emily (Brandon) Doyle; 13 great-grandchildren; brothers Harvey “Gene” (Terry) Diekman of Seattle, WA and Clarence (Erma) Diekman of Parkersburg. She rejoins in Heaven her parents; grandson Lance Kiewiet; brother Raymond (Evelyn) Diekman.