Marie Hansel, 96, of Centralia, Iowa, passed away peacefully with her family by her side, on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at her home.

Visitation for Marie will be held from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 20, 2024, at the Reiff Funeral Home at 894 Peosta Street, Peosta, Iowa, where services for Marie will be held at 1:00 p.m., with Deacon Bill Beavers presiding.  Burial will follow at St. John’s Cemetery in Centralia, Iowa.

Marie was born October 25, 1927, in Dubuque, Iowa, daughter of Victor and Helen (Berwick) Walech.  She received her education at St. Anthony’s Catholic Schools and graduated from Senior High School in Dubuque.  On August 20, 1946, she was united in marriage to Robert Hansel in Dubuque, Iowa.  Robert preceded her in death on July 2, 1987.

Marie loved God, she was a woman of great faith and prayer.  She took a strong stand for the rights of the unborn.  This led her to being one of the first volunteers for the Crisis Pregnancy Center when it opened in Dubuque in 1994, she continued to volunteer for over 12 years.

Marie was a great mother and grandmother as her heart was totally wrapped around her family, she would remember everyone’s birthday, she would be certain to make life’s special events the absolute best for each event.  She was sharp as a tac until the end.  She spent a lot of time playing Kings Corner with all the grand and great grandchildren.  She made the best cinnamon rolls west of the Mississippi according to her fans.

She is survived by her six daughters, Kate (Tom) McGovern of Des Moines, IA, Carolyn Achen of Bettendorf, IA, Susie (Bob) Nugent of Katy, TX, Karen (Dan) Raymond of Adams Town, MD, Kris (Randy) Nauman of Dubuque, IA, and Victoria Fury of Peosta, IA; two daughters-in-laws, Elaine Hansel, and Marti Hansel both of Dubuque, IA; 32 grandchildren; 70 great grandchildren; and 7 great-great grandchildren; two sisters, Betty Murphy of Dubuque, IA and Jan (Bill) Kueter of Durango, IA; sister-in-law, Mary Jean Walech of Dubuque, IA; and a nephew, Jim (Bonnie) Chapman of Freemont, CA.

She was also preceded in death by her parents; one daughter, Leanne (David) Frantz; two sons, David Hansel and Pastor Steve Hansel; one brother, Leo Walech; one sister, Vickie (Albert) Fischer; brother-in-law, Louis Murphy; and her father and mother-in-law, Arthur and Helen (Edwards) Hansel.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.reifffuneralhomeinc.com