Marlene Wilhard

MARLENE J. WILHARM

Cedar Rapids

Marlene Joan Wilharm, 83, passed away peacefully at Polk City Nursing and Rehab on Aug. 27, 2021, surrounded by her loving family. Visitation will take place at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 10, at Memorial Services of Iowa, 4208 N. Ankeny Blvd. Funeral service will take place after the visitation at 11 a.m., also at the funeral home. Burial of Marlene's urn will follow the funeral at Ankeny Memorial Gardens.

A Celebration of Life will take place at her granddaughter's home after burial.

Marlene's story began in Everly, Iowa, on Oct. 28, 1937, the youngest child of Kenneth and Charlotte (Seitzinger) Burger. She was a gifted athlete but her passion was music. She attended Wartburg College for Music Education. She was a gifted vocalist, pianist and organist, along with directing various choirs and community theater. She persevered through a chronic and very debilitating psychiatric condition that she never let overcome her indomitable spirit. While married to Lyle Wilharm, they had three delightful children whom she loved very much.

Marlene was a loving mother, grandmother, and she brought joy to everyone she met. She enjoyed all things musical, playing piano, visits from family, watching TV, sports, Frank Sinatra, smoking cigarettes and eating all her favorite foods.

Marlene had a strong and abiding faith. She was a prayer warrior and was always thinking of those near and dear to her heart. Her family finds comfort knowing she's gone to her heavenly home.

Marlene will always be remembered by her beautiful smile that was often accompanied by her captivating laugh.

She is survived by her three children, Jeff (Vicki) Wilharm of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Clark (Julie) Wilharm of Waverly, Iowa, and Lennie Wilharm-Batson of Elkhart, Iowa; grandchildren, Tiffanie (Chris) Michels, Josh (Amanda) Goeller, Jesse (Jennifer) Goeller, Anna (Brant) Faulkner, Drew Wilharm (Ann Osterhaus), Seth (Becca) Wilharm, Solomon (Amanda) Wilharm, Sarah Wilharm, Kailee (Mike) Dostal, Tyler (Andrea) Frazee, Zach Wilharm, Nathan Frazee, Sabrina (Chase) Dennis, Brody Batson, Braedynn Batson and Rune Wilharm; 21 great-grandchildren; sisters, Virginia "Sis" Norman of Weston, Mo., and Marg Cromer of Aurora, Colo.; brother-in-law, Jack Harms of Sun Lakes, Ariz.; and a host of other loving family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Barb (Burger) Harms; granddaughter, Sterling Wilharm-Simbro; nephew, Doug Harms; and brothers-in-law, Gerald Cromer and John Norman.

Online at www.MemorialServicesOfIowa.com.