Marla Cluts

Marla Javon (Wintz) Cluts died Friday, August 19, 2022 at Iowa Lutheran UnityPoint Hospital. Marla was born March 14, 1933 in Waverly, Iowa to L. R. and Murrel (Ritze) Wintz.

Marla attended Maxfield #2 rural school through 8th grade and graduated from Tripoli High School in 1951. Later that year she married G. Lawrence (Larry) Cluts. They were later divorced. In 1970 she moved to Des Moines to attend Manpower Development Training School, graduating from the secretarial course. She worked for National Handcraft, the State Department of Revenue and the State Health Department in vital records division. Marla retired from State employment in 1998.

After being diagnosed with kidney disease as early as 1952, she received a kidney transplant in December of 1975 and lived a full life with that donated kidney for over 46 years.

Marla was active in her church first in Des Moines and then in Marshalltown. She chaired the Women of the ELCA organization at Central Lutheran Church and was active in circle study and fellowship groups in both Des Moines and Marshalltown. She loved to work on quilts made for international relief efforts at both churches.

She belonged to Central Iowa Quilt Sewcity in Marshalltown and to the Des Moines chapter of Volkssport walk club. She attended three national conventions and earned many awards while in the walk club, traveling to various locations around the U. S. to complete 5K walks. Besides walking and hiking, she enjoyed sewing and crocheting as well as corresponding with over 100 pen pals at one time. Her mail box was always full!

Marla is survived by her children, Rev. Karen Cluts of Des Moines and Kevin (LeaAnn) of Traer; her grandson, Nicholas (Alexus) of Traer; her two great-grandchildren, Lillea and Ivan Cluts, also of Traer; as well as two nieces. She is preceded in death by her parents; twin brothers, Martin and Marvin Wintz; and brother and sister-in-law, Harold and Rose Wintz.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, August 24, 2022 at Capitol Hill Lutheran Church, 511 Des Moines Street, Des Moines, with a 3:00 p.m. burial in Harlington Cemetery, Waverly, IA.

Memorials may be directed to Iowa Kidney Foundation or Lutheran World Relief.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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