Fleckenstein, Marilyn Jensen

Marilyn Jensen Fleckenstein, 76, of Margate, Fla., formerly of Cedar Rapids, died Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009, after a courageous battle with Alzheimer's. A memorial service will be held Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009, at 11 a.m. at the Seeds of Faith Church, Highway 30 E on east edge of Lisbon (798 Brenneman Lane), by Pastor John Rosenberg. Friends may call after 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24, at the church.

Marilyn is survived by Tom, her husband of 54 years; her children, Marti (Jeff) Reeder of Kansas City, Mo., Brad (Katie) of Castle Rock, Colo., Jeff of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Chris (Dave) Puk of Cedar Rapids and Matt (Laura) of Elmhurst, Ill.; her grandchildren, Jena and Ryan Nesbitt, Tug and Tommy Fleckenstein, Dani, Stephi and Grace Fleckenstein, Samantha, AJ, Jessica and Owen Puk, and Noah, Hannah and Emily Fleckenstein; great-grandson, Hayden; and brother, Nick (Diane) Jensen, and nieces and nephew, Alex, Kelsey and Thomas, all of Monument, Colo.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, John and Vera; brothers, Sandy and Bruce; and grandson, Zachary Fleckenstein.

Marilyn was born Dec. 11, 1932. She graduated from Ottumwa High School and later graduated from Iowa State University. That is where she met the love of her life, Tom Fleckenstein. Marilyn and Ton married Sept. 3, 1955, and raised five very independent and strong children. Marilyn was involved in every aspect of her children's lives. She held numerous volunteer positions and was always giving of herself. She was truly a leader and put a smile on the faces of whomever she came in contact with.

One of her great passions was the work she did for the Washington Athletic Club. She spend innumerable hours raising money and bringing fresh ideas to the club as the first woman president. She was later inducted into the Washington Hall of Fame for her contributions.

She had a love for music and above all, her piano. Whether she was playing for friends at the Ski-Tip Lodge in Keystone, Colo., or for her community at The Brucemore, the piano brought a smile and solitude to those that listened.

She also kept herself active by playing tennis, skiing, cheering on any activity involving her children, and countless weekends on the Mississippi River - a campsite one we will always remember.

Simply - Marilyn was an amazing woman, wife, mother, grandmother and friend.

Thanks to all the special caregivers at the SeaView Care Center in Pompano Beach, Fla., and to the Hospice in her final days.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Washington Athletic Club or the Alzheimer's Association.