Marie Arlene (Bickel) Westphal age 82 of rural Fairbank passed away Saturday, April 22, 2023 at Unity Point Allen Memorial Hospital in Waterloo. She was born July 20, 1940, in rural Anamosa, daughter of Robert and Martha (LeClere) Bickel. Marie married Kenneth Westphal Nov. 14 1964 at the Methodist Church in Marion.

She attended Country school and graduated from Central City in 1958. Marie worked in the Marion and Cedar Rapids area for five years before she was married.

Marie and Ken had two children while they lived on an acreage near Waterloo for twenty-seven years. They then moved to rural Fairbank. Marie was an active member in the First United Methodist Church in Dunkerton for 52 years.

Marie was particular about her garden and flowers. She made sure that the vegetables were rotated on an annual basis. Nothing went to waste. It was either frozen or canned to be enjoyed during the fall, winter and spring months, or it was given away to family and friends. Of course there was always room for her flowers, especially gladiolas. Marie enjoyed traveling with the family with trips to almost every corner of the United States. There were trips to friends & family along with sight seeing trips. Later in life she enjoyed visiting Arizona, Texas, Georgia, Tennessee and Florida during the winter months. She loved doing the word scramble in the newspaper and word search puzzles. unfortunately, in the last few years her eye-sight wasn’t as good and she could no longer do them. Marie loved family picnics and get togethers. She enjoyed the annual fall camping trip with the family and loved spending time with grandkids and great-grandkids. Marie didn’t know how to drive a vehicle until after she was married, with time, little perseverance and lots of empty country roads she learned to drive. Marie was always willing to assist with projects, no matter what the project was. This included projects for family and friends.

Marie is survived by her husband of 58 years, Ken, a daughter, Sharon (Ken) Spohn of Omaha, a son, Ronald (Brenda) of Earlville IL. Five grandchildren Shelley (Richard) Kruse, Kevin Spohn, Stephanie Westphal, Sarah Westphal and Hannah Westphal.  Two great grandsons Wyatt & Dustin. Three brothers and three sisters; Henry (Annitta) Bickel of Marion, Janet Bickel of Marion. Clifford Bickel of Anamosa, Leonard Bickel of Cedar Rapids, Donna Bickel of Cedar Rapids, Barbara (Dennis) Stevens of Highland,IL. Marie was preceded in death by her parents, two infant brothers, one brother, Larry Bickel, two sisters-in-law, Clara Bickel & Judy Bickel. 

Visitation: 9:00-10:30 AM Thursday, April 27, 2023 with funeral services to follow at the United Methodist Church 301 Washington Street, Dunkerton, Iowa 

Interment: Pleasant Grove Cemetery, McGregor, Iowa.

Memorials: may be directed to the family for later designation.

Lunch will be served immediately following the service in the church social hall.