- Date Of Birth: May 7, 1965
- Date Of Death: August 13, 2021
- State: Iowa
Marcie Lynn Coleman (1965-2021) died on August 13, 2021, of complications of cancer and cyclospora. She courageously, humbly, and optimistically battled rare cancer, pheochromocytoma for 20 years. She died at home, in the loving care of her husband and children.
Left to cherish a lifetime of memories is her best friend and husband, Chris Coleman. They met on the first day of college and each knew God made them for each other. They were married on July 6, 1991, and raised their beloved family in Des Moines. Together, they built a life of love and commitment to family and believed that hospitality wasn’t just a word, it was their way. The support they had for each other became an unstoppable force of strength when challenges were before them, as well as the spirit behind the fun and joy that they shared each and every day.
Blessed to be Marcie’s children are Nick (Becca), Maggie, Jesse (Anna), Katie, and Ellie. They are a living tribute to her grace, sincerity, generosity, and welcoming spirit. Cancer can devastate families, but the Coleman children selflessly sacrificed and loved their mama, no matter the impact on their own lives.
Marcie was born to be a mom and committed all her energy and time to her kids. She thrived in chaotic schedules of sports, musicals and school plays, birthday parties, sleepovers, and fun with their extended family. The milestones in her children’s lives, especially the sacraments, were moments of great celebration. She made sure everyone felt at home in their house, and her favorite part of the day was when the kids would walk in with their friends and share their day. She taught her kids her favorite sport, tennis. She was a fierce competitor, except when she would occasionally let Chris win (which was never!). Their family bike rides took them all through the community and neighborhoods they loved. She treasured those moments when everyone was together playing games or quoting ‘Pink Panther” or relaxing together on their beautiful patio or front porch. She was their super fan, whether it was the high school musical, a cross-country or tennis meet, cheerleading, mock trial, or all of their other passions.
Perhaps the greatest gift she gave her children was her unconditional love – the love of their dad and each of them individually. Her children share many qualities they inherited from Marcie, but her impact as their mom is that she treasured each one for their uniqueness.
But most of all, she was so deeply proud of how her children have grown into a kind, wise, faithful, and family-centered adults who have already left their individual marks in their community and will continue to make a difference in this world.
As CEO of Coleman, Inc., she thrived not only as a wife and mother, but also as an accountant, chef, general contractor, nurse, strategic planner, trainer, landscape engineer, mediator, tutor, pastor, interior designer, social worker, uber driver, purchasing agent, fashion consultant, expert braider, and even marriage counselor. All of this was accomplished with her signature caring, generosity, and creativity. Her talent in the kitchen was rivaled only by her own affinity for tasty treats, especially ice cream. Her creativity with everything from treasured gifts she made for her family and friends to the DIY projects that were not just homemade but created with her unique skill and finesse. She dedicated so much time and effort to getting things just right, including sewing all her bridesmaids’ gowns for her wedding, the kids’ Halloween costumes, and their beloved graduation blankets, and creating the crafty home decor that graced their house
She had a generous heart and the ability to be present for others, which she shared with her 32 nieces and nephews whom she prized. She was especially proud to be a Godmother to Maria Van Leer, Raquel McPeek, Marie Broos, Meaghan Hetherton, Jacob Menster, Charlie Coleman, Ben McPeek, and Alice Gaul, Cora Menster Sio, and Micah Menster Sio.
Marcie was preceded in death by mother-in-law Kathleen Coleman and niece Ellen Rottjakob.
In addition to her dedication to her beloved children, Marcie was an accomplished educator and public servant, however, her first job, as a Soda Jerk at Happy Joe’s was likely her favorite, and certainly the one she talked about most. Her life of service began upon graduation from St. Ambrose. After coordinating two spring break services trips to Appalachia, she became a VISTA volunteer in one of the country’s poorest counties in Kentucky. She quickly developed expertise in helping women learn to read and write and eventually get their GED, enabling thousands to change their family’s futures forever.
With their beloved Holy Trinity Church and the kids’ schools as their anchor, Marcie enthusiastically invested her time and talent to make these thrive. She was a Home Room Mom for over 20 school years. She served on the Holy Trinity Board of Education and was President of the Holy Trinity PTO and an officer of the Dowling Parents Guild. She chaired numerous events and fundraising activities, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for vulnerable families, her children’s schools, and her faith community. Her generous ways were on display for more than two decades as she channeled the holiday spirit by coordinating Mrs. Claus’s Cafe at the Beaverdale Craft Boutique. She was a coach and Girl Scout leader for a decade, and she planned her summer around leading amazing crafts at VBS. With her family, she regularly baked and served meals for the homeless.
Her selfless service and work as a community champion of the vulnerable led the Des Moines Mayor and City Council to name the beautiful bridge connecting downtown to Gray’s Lake after Marcie and her family.
The family is forever grateful to the many people who have taken care of her and given us the many, many years we didn’t expect when her cancer was first diagnosed. Of special note, we thank Doctors Bible, Vella, Beath, Veach, Heddinger, and Dr. Liz. We are indebted to the Interventional Radiologists who seemed to solve new problems weekly: Lacey, Magill, Kaufman, Stradling, Casey, and Rebecca. We are grateful for the amazing nurses who made good things happen: Sarah, Melissa, Ray, Deano, Sue, Catherine, Alicia, and Melissa, and the rest of the medical team whose skill and heart kept her fully alive: Brittany, Tina, and Shannon. We have been tremendously blessed with the strong support of our family and friends along the way, especially those who selflessly walked with Marcie on this journey, including those who made meals, shared prayers, planned special moments, and simply loved and cared for Marcie. We especially pray in thanksgiving for Sr. Joyce Rupp, Father Michael Amadeo, her sister Molly, and her soulmate, infusion-mate, and communion-mate on this journey, Mary Kay Munro.
