Marianne Fann, 86, of West Des Moines, Iowa, and formerly of Atlantic, Iowa, passed away Friday, September 8, 2023, in her suite at Edgewater in West Des Moines.
Marianne Martha Buch was born December 30, 1936, in Clarinda, Iowa, to Henry and Gertrude (Wagoner) Buch. In 1955, Marianne graduated from Clarinda High School. Following graduation, she attended Iowa Western Community College, and after receiving her teaching degree she began her career in Clarinda.
In 1960, she married her high school sweetheart, Allen Fann. They moved to Atlantic in 1965. The couple had two children, Jill born in 1967, and Craig born in 1970. Fann Pharmacy was opened in 1970. Marianne was Allen’s right hand at the pharmacy and he wasn’t shy to share that she was the one that brought customers into the store with her smile and kindness.
In 1979, Marianne returned to teaching in a 3rd grade classroom at Washington Elementary and this is where she stayed her entire career. Craig was in third grade at the time, so she was very familiar with her students in that first class. Marianne loved teaching; she was known for her soft voice, cursive writing, and elaborate bulletin boards in the classroom. Marianne returned to school herself, receiving her Master’s in Education from Drake University. She made many friends through her teaching days and continued to keep in touch with her co-workers for many years while attending the retired teacher luncheons.
Marianne loved her time in Atlantic. She was a devoted member of Zion Lutheran Church and was involved with the children’s programs, was a member of the altar guild, attended various Bible studies, and contributed to many other committees. Marianne enjoyed hosting, playing bridge, and getting together with the Birthday Club—a group of great friends who would get together for each other’s birthdays. She had an appreciation for music, art, and gardening. Marianne was a wonderful cook and hosted family holidays which always included multiple requests for her homemade dinner rolls. Marianne would escape from the snow during retirement to South Padre Island, Texas. She enjoyed watching sporting events, her teams being the Atlantic Trojan(n)s, Drake Bulldogs, Iowa Hawkeyes, Waukee Warriors, Waukee Northwest Wolves and the Chicago Cubs. Marianne put on the best tailgates in Iowa City for family and friends, and was known for her chili and pumpkin bars at the final home game each season.
Marianne’s pride and joy were her own children and grandchildren, Emma born in 1998, Madeline born in 2000, and Hayden born in 2003. She enjoyed her time on the bleachers watching her kids swim and run track. Later in life, Marianne and Allen traveled all over the country to watch their grandchildren compete in their various sporting events. Her face would light up anytime those three kids were around or mentioned.
In 2021, Marianne and Allen moved to West Des Moines to be closer to their family.
Preceding Marianne in death were her parents, Henry and Gertrude Buch; brothers, Darwin (Bev) Buch and Don (Donna Lee) Buch; parents-in-law, Lyle and Edris Fann; sisters-in-law, Judy Altfillisch Kehm and Karen Alford; and brother-in-law, William Brunning.
Those surviving Marianne are her husband, Allen Fann of West Des Moines, Iowa; children, Jill (Paul) Huntley of Urbandale, Iowa and Craig Fann (Mike Hicken) of Iowa City, Iowa; grandchildren, Emma Huntley of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Madeline Huntley of Des Moines, Iowa, and Hayden Huntley of Urbandale/Iowa City, Iowa; sister, Nadine (Jim) Lillie of Oahu, Hawaii; sisters-in-law, Jill (Dennis) Fain of Denver, Colorado and Elaine Brunning of Savannah, Georgia; brother-in-law, Randy Fann (Kathy Fletcher) of Lincoln, California; and many nephews and nieces.
The Celebration of Life Memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, October 3rd at Zion Lutheran Church in Atlantic, Iowa. A luncheon will be held at the Atlantic Golf & Country Club immediately following the service until 1:30 p.m. The family will proceed to the Atlantic Cemetery for inurnment at 2:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to Atlantic Community School Foundation, Steve Tjepkes, Foundation Treasurer, AMU, 15 West 3rd Street, Atlantic, Iowa 50022.
Roland Funeral Service is caring for Marianne’s family and her arrangements.
