Marion Louise (Grouwinkel) Duncan passed away peacefully on July 9, 2025, at Simpson Memorial Home.
Marion was born on Oct. 20, 1930, on the family farm in rural Wapello (Louisa County), to George F. and Kathryn A. (Wilson) Grouwinkel. She treasured her childhood on the farm, fondly remembering the kittens and ponies and forever appreciated wildflowers and birds.
A 1948 graduate of Wapello High School, Marion was the Salutatorian of her class and an accomplished flute and piccolo player. She graduated in 1950 from Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, Iowa (now the University of Northern Iowa), where she met lifelong friends. Marion began her teaching career at Crab Apple Country School and later taught at a public school in Washington, Iowa.
On July 29, 1951, Marion married Bill Duncan at the Wapello Methodist Church, beginning a lifelong partnership built on love and devotion.
Marion was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Her greatest joy was being a mom. She was a talented seamstress, a passionate gardener, a gifted pianist, an enthusiastic fairgoer and an avid puzzle-solver. She was a faithful member of the West Liberty Methodist Church and volunteered countless hours supporting her children’s music and sports activities.
Marion is survived by her loving husband of 73 years, Bill Duncan; her children: Sheryl Duncan of West Liberty; Marla (Tom) Hillyer of West Liberty; and Brett Duncan of Phoenix, Ariz.; her grandchildren: Kalen (Greg) Fraser; Luke (Katie) Hillyer; Dylan Hillyer; Will Duncan and Samantha Duncan; and great-grandchildren: Simone and Murray Fraser, and Quinn and Ira Hillyer.
She is also survived by brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Paul and Kay Duncan, Larry and Judy Duncan, Dennis Stephenson, and nieces and nephews.
Marion was preceded in death by her beloved daughter, Rita Kay; her parents, George and Kathryn Grouwinkel; her brother Franklin and sister-in-law Marjorie Grouwinkel; her sister Thais (Grouwinkel) Stephenson and nephew Roman Stephenson; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Robert and Maxine Duncan, and father-in-law and mother-in-law Harry and Evelyn Duncan.
Her warmth, strength, and unwavering love will be deeply missed and forever remembered.
Marion’s Celebration of Life will be Thursday, Aug. 7, at West Liberty United Methodist Church. Visitation begins at 10 a.m. with service following at 11 a.m. A light lunch will be served following the service. The Henderson-Barker Funeral Home in West Liberty is caring for Marion and her family.
Private family inurnment will be held in the Oak Ridge Cemetery.
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