Marlene Havel

Marlene Joyce Havel, 87, of Grundy Center, passed away peacefully of natural causes on January 13, 2021, at Grundy County Memorial Hospital while under the care of Cedar Valley Hospice. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 30, at First Presbyterian Church in Grundy Center at 11 AM with Pastor Steve Tyykila officiating. Visitation will be held an hour before the service. Interment will take place at Rose Hill Cemetery in Grundy Center. It will be asked that all in attendance wear masks and abide by social distancing measures. Abels Funeral and Cremation Service, Engelkes chapel is caring for Marlene and her family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Maroon and White Committee INC. in Grundy Center, memorials may be dropped at the Treasure's office in city hall in Grundy Center, or mailed. Messages of condolences may be left at www.abelsfuneralhomes.com.

Marlene Joyce Havel was born on January 8, 1934, in Washington, Iowa, to her parents George Homer and Cecille Logan (Hotle) Mayer. She graduated from West Chester High School with the Class of 1952.  She was married to Kenneth A. Havel on May 15, 1955, in Washington, Iowa. Marlene attended cosmetology school in Ottumwa.  Marlene and Kenneth left Washington and would make a stop in Waterloo before finally settling in Grundy Center, where they would spend many happy years together. Along with operating her salon, Beauty Lounge;  both Marlene and Kenneth enjoyed catering for 30 years, which many will recall. Marlene loved Ken and her family fiercely. They had 3 children together, Julie, Scott, and Doug. Marlene was the definition of selfless, caring for her family and others was what gave her life purpose. She was well known for her talent of baking, having made 1,000s of cookies to the delight of others. Marlene didn’t have much spare time because the love and time she spent with her family was only rivaled by her relationship with her Lord and savior. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Grundy Center and P.E.O.

Left to cherish her memory are her children: Julie (Ray) Baltes of Hampton, IA, Scott (Julie) Havel of Urbandale, and Doug (Anne) Havel of Cedar Rapids; grandchildren: Briana Havel, Jacob Havel, Sarah Havel, Jessica (Duncan) Anderson, and Tommy Baltes. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Kenneth, grandchild Jared Havel,  3 brothers Ted, Lester, and Roger