Memorial
Marilyn Lee (Carstens) LeClere, age 93 of Des Moines, previously of Cedar Rapids, died on March 5, 2025. Per her wishes there will be no services and a private burial at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.
Marilyn is survived by her sons Craig (Cameron) of Des Moines and Kurt of West Des Moines. Also, three granddaughters, two step granddaughters and two great grandsons.
Marilyn was born to Walther and Wilma (Ruhl) Carstens of Olin, IA in Anamosa, IA on July 21, 1931. With her father as a newspaper reporter/printer they lived in ten different communities in Iowa, Missouri, and Minnesota before settling in Lisbon, Iowa. She graduated as a valedictorian in Lisbon in 1949 and attended Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, IA. She married Duane T. LeClere of Manchester, IA on February 23, 1952 in Lisbon.
Marilyn worked variously in the accounting department of an export company and as a design consultant, a drapery department manager, a drapery and fabric buyer and a partner in an antique/gift shop. Her volunteer work involved several years as a Cub Scouts leader and officer.
Marilyn wrote ambitiously with a published novel, poetry, newspaper, and magazine articles. Her interests were reading, history, art, antiques, interior design, cooking, and baking. She belonged to Epsilon Sigma Alpha business sorority and Heart of Iowa Fiction Authors.
She was preceded in death by her husband Duane, daughter Julie, her parents, and brother Gary.