Marlin, Joan Marie

Joan Marie Marlin, 59, of Anamosa, died Thursday, Dec. 31, 2009, in her home from an extended illness of cancer. Services will be 10 Tuesday, Jan. 5, at First Congregational Church in Anamosa. The Rev. Mike Williams will officiate at the service. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at Goettsch Funeral Home in Anamosa. Interment will be at Riverside Cemetery in Anamosa.

Thoughts, memories and condolences may be left at

Surviving are her husband, Ken; sons, John (Amy) of Owosso, Mich., and Jim (Jennifer) of Waterloo; grandchildren, Noah, Ella, Grace and Jackson Marlin; her mother, Ruby Bobeen of Troy, Mo.; sisters, Jeanette Bobeen of Sioux City, Karen (Duane) White of New Sharon, Marilyn (Ron) Gibbons of Story, Wyo., Mary (Rick) Austerschmidt of Fenton, Mo., Rita (Bob) Renken of Wentzville, Mo., and Debbie (Tom) Cizerle of Carl Junction, Mo. nephews, Matt and Drew White and Tyler Goldammer; niece, Emily Renken; and special friends, (The Moms) Giny Beck, Deb Carlson and Amy Schirm.

She was preceded in death by her father, Ralph.

Joan was born Aug. 20, 1950, in Troy, Mo., to Ralph Hicks Bobeen and Ruby Marie Colbert. She grew up in Troy. Joan graduated from Northeast Missouri State University in 1972, with a Bachelor's degree in French and minors in English and journalism. She married Ken Marlin in Anamosa on June 24, 1974. Her employment included Frank N. Magid and Associates, Anamosa Journal-Eureka, Jones County Tourism, and the Sixth Judicial District-Department of Correctional Services.

Joan was involved in many local organizations over the years: past-president of the Anamosa Chamber of Commerce, member of the Anamosa Chapter of Business and Professional Woman, chair of the Local Access Channel Committee, deacon in her church, and she was looking forward to serving as president of the Anamosa Rotary, where she was proud to be a Paul Harris Fellow. She also served as an adult volunteer for the Boy Scouts of America at the local and district levels. Two of her proudest moments were when her sons received their Eagle Scout awards.

Joan will be remembered for her love of family, friends, community, church and her beautiful smile that won over her husband-to-be some 37 years ago.