Marlys Madelene Pederson

Marlys Madelene (Tibbits) Pederson passed away peacefully on January 22nd, 2025 at The Bridges in Ankeny, Iowa. A celebration of life visitation and light lunch will be held on March 22nd, 2025 from 11:00 AM- 3:00 PM at Ankeny Funeral Home and Crematory.

Marlys and her twin sister Marlene were born to Bill and Mae Tibbits on April 25th, 1936 on a farm in Clear Lake, Iowa. When they were young, the family moved to Fertile, Iowa. So many of their life events occurred in Fertile; their baptism, confirmation, high school graduation, and marriage. On November 4, 1955, Marlys married Herb Pederson. Together they had four children and spent much of their adult married life in Ankeny.

Marlys loved everybody and everybody loved her. She was known by so many as "Marvelous Marlys." She was a sweet, gentle soul who never had anything bad to say about anyone. Marlys was a shining light to all those that surrounded her. She impacted the lives of all she touched lovingly, a good heart!

Marlys had been actively involved in the Iowa Chapter of the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, having been a survivor since April of 2004.

She was an avid Harlequin Romance reader, as was her twin sister, Marlene. Marlys also loved doing stitchwork and sharing her crafts. She loved playing cards, dancing, traveling, and most of all, spending time with her family. If her family needed her, she was there ~ always.

Marlys built a family that is so close and full of love. Marlys is survived by her children; Holly Pederson, Ranae Willer, Gary (Lisa) Pederson, and Shelly (Bill) Hunter; grandchildren, Jenna (Jared) Hummel, Casey (Allison) Pederson, Kyle Pederson, Zachary Yeoman, Jordan Costello, Kylee Willer, Koree (Amir) Begovic, Kellee (Luis) Peguero: great grandchildren, Gracelynn and Lincoln Hummel, Kaitlyn and Conner Pederson, Logan and Blake Costello, and Leila Peguero; her sisters Marlene (Jerry) Jenkins and Betty Lane; and her best friend Rosann Beekman.

Marlys is preceded in death by her husband, Herb Pederson; her parents; her brothers, Ronnie and Donnie Tibbits, Lawrence Tibbits, Robert Tibbits, and Marvin "Snook" Tibbits: her sisters, June Fredrickson, Phyllis Gericke, Clarice "Toots" Skyles; and son-in-law Howard (Holly) Yeoman.

Heaven got a little more Marvelous on January 22nd, 2025.

Memorial contributions in Marlys' memory may be made to the Iowa Chapter of the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition.