Marlene M. Feuss, 89, of Lost Nation, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Monday morning, October 13, 2025, at Maquoketa Care Center in Maquoketa, Iowa.

A celebration of her life will be held at 10:30 A.M., Saturday, October 25, 2025, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Lost Nation, Iowa.  Cremation rites have been accorded, and burial will follow the service at Busch Cemetery, rural Lost Nation, Iowa.  The Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa is caring for the family.

Marlene Mae Benischek was born on May 20, 1936, in Jones County, rural Monmouth, Iowa, to Henry and Thelma (Dean) Benischek.  She was a bright student and was the valedictorian of her eighth-grade class at Pence Ridge Country School and continued to excel academically, graduating as valedictorian from Oxford Junction Consolidated High School in 1954.

Marlene’s life was one of commitment and service, beginning with her marriage to Fred Feuss Jr. on February 6, 1955, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Lost Nation. Together, they welcomed three children into the world: Clyde, Carl, and Cheryl.

In the early years of her marriage, Marlene worked alongside Fred on their farm, nurturing both crops and family with equal care. As her children grew, she pursued her passion for helping others by becoming a nurse’s aide at the Jackson County Public Hospital in Maquoketa. Her dedication to her profession led her to further her education in Peosta, where she earned her degree as a Registered Nurse. Marlene’s caring hands and warm heart touched many lives during her years of service at the hospital and later at the Maquoketa Care Center.

Marlene’s involvement in her community extended beyond her professional work. She was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, where she found strength and fellowship. Her spirit of giving was also evident in her commitment to donating blood, a simple act that saved countless lives.

Her interests outside of work reflected who she was.  Marlene was an exceptional seamstress and baker, known for her delicious dinner rolls, potato salad, and cakes that graced many family gatherings.

Those left to honor her memory include her husband Fred Feuss Jr. of Lost Nation, IA; children, Clyde Feuss of Lost Nation, IA, Carl (Lori) Feuss of Lost Nation, IA, and Cheryl (Gary) Feuss Kunde of Tipton, IA; 4 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Jane (Kirk) Rentschler of Solon, IA.  She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings Phyllis Bisinger, Gene Benischek, Claudette Brown, and infant sister Leona Benischek.

The family would like to especially thank Hospice of Jackson County.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, a Marlene Mae Feuss memorial fund has been established.

Online condolences may be left at www.CarsonAndSon.com.