Marlene J. Ryun

Marlene Joyce Ryun, one of nine children of Thelma Maxine (Hatfield) and Irving Reid Shapcott, was born on April 4, 1933, at her parent's home in the White Cloud neighborhood outside of Malvern, Iowa. Her family lived in several Iowa communities and Marlene attended school in Malvern, Glenwood, and Shelby, Iowa, where she graduated in 1951. Following graduation, Marlene enrolled in the nursing program at the Jennie Edmundson Memorial Hospital in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Marlene and John James Ryun were married on July 22, 1956 in Princeton, Missouri. They made their home in Chariton, Iowa until 1960, when they moved to Malvern. In 1964, they moved back to Chariton. Their marriage was blessed with five children, Wesley Irving, Cheryl Ann, Robin Rae, Michael James and Cathy Jolene. In 1969, Marlene and her children returned to Malvern.

In addition to her role as mother, Marlene worked as a custodian for the Malvern School District for three years before taking a position as a clerk at Mulholland Grocery. Marlene enjoyed visiting with and helping the people of Malvern at the grocery store and at Tony's Bar and Grill where she cooked and served food. Marlene continued to work at the grocery store as it changed ownership through the years until retiring in 1994.

Marlene loved to read and was a fan of the Kansas City Royals and St. Louis Cardinals. She enjoyed watching her sisters, Barb and Sharon, when they played basketball in school, cheering them on when they made it to state. Marlene was a kind and sweet person and was perfectly content with her own company. She enjoyed her children and grandchildren and was very proud of their many activities.

In February of 2002, Marlene moved to the Malvern Village and had recently moved to the Bethany Lutheran Home in Council Bluffs, where she died on January 29, 2009. She had attained the age of 75 years, 9 months, and 23 days. Marlene was preceded in death by her parents; sister Phyllis Shapcott; brothers, Ronald Shapcott, and Duane Shapcott and wife Darlene; and sister-in-law Pauline Shapcott.

Marlene is survived by her children, Wes Ryun and wife Eileen of Council Bluffs, Cheryl Smith and husband Dave of Malvern, Robin Ellis and husband Denny of Council Bluffs, Mike Ryun and wife Rosie of Malvern, and Cathy Piper of Chariton; 12 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; sisters, Barbara Slaughter and husband Roger of Glenwood, and Sharon Scott and husband Allen of Aberdeen, NC; brothers, Howard Shapcott of Iowa City, IA, Carroll Shapcott of Omaha, NE and Roger Shapcott; nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Malvern Library.

Interment in the Malvern Cemetery.