Van Fossen, Marian S.

Marian S. Van Fossen, 87, of Iowa City, died Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, at the Solon Nursing Care Center. The family will greet friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 27, at Lensing Funeral and Cremation Service, Iowa City. Family graveside services will be held at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.

Marian was born June 8, 1925, in Carthage, Mo., the daughter of William F. and Oda E. (Hopper) Spence. She grew up in Marion, where she graduated from high school. On April 7, 1946, Marian was united in marriage to Albert W. Van Fossen in Marion. In 1964, the couple moved to Iowa City, where she worked as an administrative assistant at the University of Iowa, retiring in 1987.

Marian was a long time member of St. Mark's United Methodist Church, where she was a member of United Methodist Women. She was a charter member and past president of Grant Wood Chapter American Business Women's Association. In 1975, the organization honored her as “Woman of the Year.” Marian was also a member of the Robert Lucas Chapter Questors, Iowa City Pilot Club, University Club and Athens History Circle.

Survivors include her two children, Karen (Stephen) Stewart and Barry (Bronwyn) Van Fossen, both of Iowa City; three grandchildren, Jennifer (Scott) VeDepo , Andrew (Donna) Stewart and Heather Don Carlos (Rick Bebber); and four great-grandchildren, Nicholas Don Carlos, Peyton and Quinton VeDepo and Colton Stewart.

Marian was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a brother, William Spence; a sister, Gail Inman; Gail's husband, Gordon; and a niece, Beverly Inman.

Instead of flowers, the family requests memorials to Iowa City Hospice.

Online condolences may be directed to

Published Sept. 26, 2012 in The Gazette