Memorial

Marybelle Luckason died on April 17, 2026 after a bout with pancreatic cancer.  She was 77.  

Marybelle was born on April 7, 1949 in Iowa City to Shirley (Yoder) Elam and W. Joe Elam.  She lived her entire life in Eastern Iowa.  Marybelle attended Iowa City High School, graduating in 1967.  Later, Marybelle attended Kirkwood Community College, where she earned an Associate of Applied Science degree.  She became a Certified Surgical Technologist and worked at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics as an Operating Room Technician for approximately 40 years.

Marybelle fell in love with Robert Eugene (“Lucky”) Luckason and, on September 7, 1974, they were married.  Their bond and devotion to each other served as an example and an inspiration to all who knew them.  After residing in Iowa City for many years, Marybelle and Lucky moved to Cedar Rapids in 1993, where Marybelle made and sold quilts.  Together, Marybelle and Lucky enjoyed gardening, fishing, camping in their RV, visits to Union Grove Lake, and spending time with their dogs, Emma, Mary Kate, Jake, Katydid, and Daphne.

Marybelle was a wonderful wife, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend.  She will be greatly missed by those of us who loved her.  Marybelle’s family and friends are grateful for her life, her marriage to Lucky, her craft of quilt making, and her work serving hospital patients and health care providers.  The family wishes to thank Marybelle’s many friends for their love and companionship, particularly John Baker and Wendy Sager for their help during Marybelle’s final days.

Marybelle was preceded in death by Lucky, her beloved husband of 43 years, and her parents, Joe and Shirley Elam.  Marybelle is survived by her beloved dog Gracie; brother Jeff Elam, of Independence; sister Heidi Brodersen (Eric) of Madison, WI; niece Erin Brodersen-Bailey (Marcus), of Madson, WI; sister in-law Shirley Miller of Cedar Rapids; nephew Cary Miller (Crystal) of Kansas City, MO; and nephew Bradley David Miller of St. Paul, MN.

A memorial service will be announced at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, family and friends are invited to make tribute gifts in Marybelle’s memory to the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, 505 5th Avenue, Suite 444, Des Moines, IA, 50309, www.inhf.org.