Marianne Williams, 77, of New London and formerly of Mt. Pleasant, died Thursday, July 31, 2025 at the Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House in West Burlington.
Marianne Denzler Williams was born September 28, 1947 in Munich, Germany. She was the daughter of Wendlin and Zenta (Schmaus) Denzler. She attended a business college in Munich. After her education, she worked in a veterinarian clinic in Augsburg, Germany. Marianne was united in marriage to Larry Williams. The couple later divorced.
Marianne emigrated to the United States and became a US Citizen in 1970 in Baltimore, MD. She moved to the Mt. Pleasant area where she lived with her family on a farm southeast of Mt. Pleasant. Marianne worked as a telephone operator for the Contel Telephone Company. In 1980, Marianne opened up a photography studio on the west side of the Mt. Pleasant town square. She operated the studio until 1992. Marianne then owned and operated the 34 Restaurant in Danville, IA. Marianne also worked for REM and Hope Haven.
Marianne was a member of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church and sang in the church choir. She was a longtime member of the Mt. Pleasant Kiwanis Club and the former Lions Club. She was a member of a poetry society and was a former candidate for a position on the Henry County Board of Supervisors.
Marianne loved to work in arts and crafts, most especially knitting. She was an ardent animal rights activist.
Those thankful for sharing in Marianne’s life include her 2 sons – Drew Williams and his wife Kelly Murphy of Rockford, IL and Michael Williams of Hillsboro, IA; 2 grandchildren – Thadius Williams and Ashli McCusker and her husband Michael and a great granddaughter – Rhiannon McCusker.
Her parents precede Marianne in death.
A memorial funeral mass will be celebrated at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, August 12 at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, 607 South Jackson Street, Mt. Pleasant. Father Ross Epping will celebrate the mass. Friends may call from 12 Noon to 7PM on Monday, August 11 at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mt. Pleasant. The family will be present to receive friends from 5-7 PM.
Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com