Marcia Vais

Marcia Kay Vais, 63, of Anita, Iowa, passed away Wednesday, June 22, 2016, at Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa.

She was born May 23, 1953, in Corning, Iowa, the daughter of Donald and Laura (Overman) Ridenour. Her family moved around a little while she was growing up, however, she attended and graduated from Griswold High School with the class of 1971.

Marcia moved to Anita in 1989 and was united in marriage to Larry Vais in Atlantic, Iowa, on August 19, 1989. She and Larry made their home in Anita. Marcia was employed at Parker Hannifin in Red Oak, Iowa, and took an early retirement from the company in 2009 after 30 years of employment there. She also worked for Casey's in Anita part time for several years and loved the friendships she made with co-workers and customers. In 2007, she became co-owner and "The Boss Lady" for Larry's family business, Vais Pump Service.

She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Anita, Nishna Valley Shriner's Ladies Auxiliary, LICA and the Parker Ladies Retiree Club. Marcia was a very hard worker. She was a cancer survivor as she fought it all the way. Marcia was also a great cook, mom to all and a spit fire. She was a patient and loving grandma who loved to teach her grandson Riley how to cook. She loved her visits with her grandson Bentley, and she enjoyed talking to her granddaughter, Bella.

Marcia is survived by her husband, Larry Vais of Anita; her daughters, Laura (Fred) Vais of Anita and Heather (Brian) Bauerkemper of Walnut, IA; her grandchildren, Riley Vais of Anita, Bentley and Bella Bauerkemper of Walnut; her mother-in-law, Jean Vais of Anita; her sisters, Linda Stein of St. Charles, IA, Cheryl Ridenour of Council Bluffs, IA, and Chris Vestel of Red Oak, IA; sisters and brothers-in-law, Karen Huse, Gary (Julie) Vais, Sharon Wagner, Terry (Noriko) Vais and Sherry (Gary) Pitcock; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Donald and Laura Ridenour; her father-in-law, Francis Vais; her brother, Gayle Dunn; and her very dear friends, Connie McCuen and Linda Vais.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for memorials to the family to be used per her wishes at a later date.

A visitation with the family present will be held from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. on Friday, June 24, 2016, at the United Methodist Church in Anita, Iowa.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, June 25, 2016, at the United Methodist Church in Anita, Iowa.

Hockenberry Family Care in Anita, Iowa, is in charge of the arrangements.