Marlys Joan Steffen

Marlys Joan Steffen, age 90, of Atlantic, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, September 26, 2023, at Heritage House in Atlantic, Iowa.

Marlys Joan Palmer Quigley Steffen

Marlys was born on April 27, 1933, at the Ottumwa, IA hospital. Father was Lauren Palmer, and mother was Rhea Etta Roberts Palmer Snow. Marlys graduated in 1951 from Ottumwa High School. She started working at an early age at a neighborhood grocery store. In her junior year of High School, she began working at the Ottumwa Chamber of Commerce and continued there until 1956. She married Carl W. Quigley in 1952 and had two daughters. In 1956, she started her finance career and stayed in this field until moving to Atlantic, IA, in 1972. At that time, she married Alfred Steffen and became the business owners of Service Master, Town and Country Drive Inn, and Country Kitchens in Atlantic, Council Bluffs, and Missouri Valley.

After selling those businesses and being semi-retired, they moved to Lake of the Ozarks in 1989. Their door was always open for family and friends to enjoy the lake and its beauty. In 2004, they decided to fulfill another dream and moved to Sun City West, AZ. Marlys and Al loved to dance and spend time with friends and family.

Marlys is survived by her two daughters, Cindy Willingham, Atlantic, and Karla (Tim) Akers, Anita. Two sisters, Barbara Swarts of Ottumwa, IA, and Renee Samii from Blaine, MN, four grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents and husband, Al.

Per her request, cremation is taking place at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home. Inurnment will take place at Lawn Ridge Cemetery in Coleridge, Nebraska, on October 28, 2023, at 1:00 p.m.

Memorials may be directed to the Marlys Steffen Family to be designated to many of her local organizations and charities and may be mailed to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home of Atlantic, Iowa.

The Schmidt Family Funeral Home of Atlantic, Iowa, is handling the arrangements.