Marian Jeanette Arens

Marian Jeanette Arens

Cedar Rapids

Marian Jeanette Arens, 96, of Cedar Rapids, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 2, 2026, at Cottage Grove Place. A visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m., Friday, January 23, at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, January 24, at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Cedar Rapids.

Marian was born on March 3, 1929, in Milaca, Minnesota, to Carl and Enga Bratt. She was raised in the Sauk Rapids, Minnesota area, where she spent her childhood on a small family farm. The Bratt family operated a dairy and egg business for many years, milking cows and gathering eggs that Marian’s father and brothers delivered to customers. Marian fondly remembered her childhood friends and the close-knit rural community in which she grew up.

Marian pursued higher education with dedication and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from St. Cloud State Teachers College in December 1950. She later obtained her Iowa Teaching Certificate from the University of Iowa. On October 18, 1952, she married Ralph P. Arens in St. Cloud, Minnesota. The two were introduced by mutual friends, and Ralph, who worked at Collins Radio in Cedar Rapids, traveled regularly to St. Cloud during their courtship. Together they built a life centered on family, service, and community.

Following her education and marriage, Marian began her professional career as an elementary school teacher in the Cedar Rapids Community School District, where she taught for eight years. She later devoted herself to raising her two sons while continuing to serve her community through part-time work as a preschool teacher at Jane Boyd Community House and through a church in southwest Cedar Rapids.

Marian was a devoted member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church. Her involvement included attending worship services, teaching classes, participating in adult education programs, supporting church improvements, and contributing to special outreach efforts within the surrounding neighborhood.

When her children reached their teenage years, Marian embarked on a new chapter by entering the real estate profession. Beginning in 1974, she led pre-license classes for aspiring real estate agents at Tommy Tucker Realty. She continued to develop her career with Gibson Partners—famously driving a red station wagon with magnetic company signs—and later with Skogman Realty.

After eleven years in the industry, Marian achieved licensure as a real estate broker and founded her own firm, Marian Arens & Associates, Inc. Her company employed up to ten agents and two secretaries and became well known throughout the Cedar Rapids area for its creative television advertising and innovative community engagement initiatives. These included Halloween pumpkin giveaways, book collections for libraries, customer appreciation movie nights, and complimentary birdhouses with the purchase of a home. In 1985, Marian became one of the first female real estate broker-owners in Cedar Rapids.

Over a distinguished 40-year real estate career spanning from 1974 to 2013, Marian was widely respected for her leadership, mentorship, and commitment to professional excellence. Her ability to train and support agents opened doors for many individuals. In recognition of her contributions, she was named Realtor of the Year by the Cedar Rapids Area Association of Realtors in 2006.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Marian was deeply committed to social justice, equal opportunity, and humanitarian causes. She was actively involved with the National Organization for Women and supported numerous political and social action efforts. Her dedication to global outreach was especially evident through her lifelong support of UNICEF, to which she donated more than one million dollars over her lifetime, including support connected to trips to Africa and El Salvador. She also supported missionary work through St. Paul’s United Methodist Church.

Marian is survived by her sons, Gregory Joel Arens of Covington, Washington, and Douglas Arens and his wife, Kim Arens, of Roseville, California; her grandchildren, Kaitlin N. Arens, Logan M. Arens, and Lauren M. Arens, all of Roseville, California. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Ralph P. Arens; brothers, Allen Bratt and Larry Bratt.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to UNICEF. Online condolences may be made to Marian’s family at www.cedarmemorial.com.