Marylou Manion Gatens

Marylou Manion Gatens

Iowa City

Marylou Manion Gatens, 97, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 24, 2024.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, November 4, 2024, at 10:30 AM at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Iowa City. Father Carl Markelz will concelebrate with Father Troy Richmond. Following Mass, Marylou will be buried next to her husband Don at St. Joseph Cemetery. A luncheon will be served at St. Patrick’s immediately following the burial.

The family welcomes friends to join them at an "Irish Wake" on Sunday, November 3, 2024, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the Iowa City Elks Lodge, 637 Foster Road, Iowa City.

Marylou was born on June 10, 1927, in Evansville, Indiana, to James and Mildred (Hartig) Manion. Marylou graduated from Memorial High School in 1945 and graduated from St. Mary's College in Notre Dame, Indiana, in 1949 with a BA in Education. During her years at St. Mary’s, she met Don Gatens of Iowa City, who graduated from Notre Dame in 1949. Don and Marylou were married in Evansville, Indiana, in 1949 and moved to Iowa City, where Don joined the Gatens Cattle Company, and they raised their family.

Marylou was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend to many. She was very active in the community while raising her family. She was a substitute teacher in Iowa City, served as a Cub Scout and Girl Scout leader, and served on the St. Thomas More church council and taught catechism. She spent many hours volunteering at Mercy Hospital and served on the Mercy Hospital Advisory Board. Her work with "Reach for Recovery" for breast cancer patients remained a lifetime commitment. Marylou enjoyed volunteering for the Coralville Library and was an active member of Chapter KQ P.E.O. She played bridge with the same group of friends at the Elks Club for 50 years. She loved being a St. Mary's Belle. Her love for Notre Dame was matched by her enthusiasm and loyalty for the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Marylou is survived by her three children and their spouses: Marysue (Gatens) and Mike Milini of Hillsboro Beach, Florida; Steve and Nancy Gatens of Dallas, Texas; and Mike and Julie Gatens of Iowa City, Iowa; eight grandchildren: Chad, Josh and Michael Manis; Nicole Gatens; Megan (Brandon) Morris; Matt (Erin) Gatens; Sarah Gatens; and Marty (Emily) Gatens; and her six great-grandchildren: Layne, Teddy and Banks Morris, and Nash, Noa, and Vayda Gatens.

Marylou was preceded in death by her loving husband, Don, her parents, and her brothers, James and Charles Manion.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to the Don and Marylou Gatens Memorial Scholarship Fund through the Iowa City Community School District Foundation. The scholarship benefits a graduate from both Iowa City West High and City High each year.

Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.lensingfuneral.com.