Marlis Marie Lowery, 74, passed away on August 14, 2021 at Polk City Nursing & Rehabilitation in Polk City, IA. A celebration of life will be held at Ankeny Funeral Home on Monday, August 23, 2021 from 4 to 7 PM.
Marlis was born to Albert and Lena (VanMersbergen) Kamstra in Prinsburg, MN on October 19, 1946. She was the middle child of three children. Marlis graduated from Central Minnesota Christian School in Prinsburg, MN in 1964. She then went off to nursing school in Sioux Falls, SD and graduated in 1965. Marlis loved being a nurse and returned back to Minnesota to help care for the wounded Vietnam vets. Marlis also loved to travel and made her way to California and, in 1975, she finally met the love of her life, Calton. They married in Las Vegas, NV in October of 1978. Marlis loved to decorate for Christmas, loved her grandchildren, loved to plant new flowers every year, go to Native American Pow-Wow’s, and bake everyone’s special goodies for Christmas.
Marlis battled with MS for over 40 years of her life. She never let it bring her down. She pushed on till the very end. The last few years of her life were tough, but she always had a smile on her face, cracked a joke, and even continued fighting till the end.
Marlis is preceded in death by her parents.
Marlis is survived by her husband, Calton Lowery; children, Emily (Don) Slagter, Craig (Krista) Lowery, Christa Lowery, and special friend, Jason Lemke; five grandchildren; three great grandchildren; sister, Deloris Van Hofwegen; and brother, Allen Kamstra.
Memorial contributions for Marlis Lowery can be addressed to the family for later distribution.