Marion Belding

Marion Belding, 87, passed away September 20, 2022 at Accura of Ogden.

Marion was born April, 3, 1935 in Missouri Valley, Iowa to her parents Victor and Opal (Davis) Babcock. She was adopted at age 14 by Ole Knute and Nancy (Johnson) Engene of Corydon, Iowa.

Marion is survived by her loving children, Carol Belding Jepson, Troy Belding and Tony Belding; and her grandchildren, Joshua Jepson (Laila), Jordan Jepson, Trevor Belding (Rachael), London Jepson (Emily), Taylor Belding (Drea), Terry Belding (Reba), Taylor Ogden, Salem Cownie and Tyrone Cownie. Marion's 18 great-grandchildren were a big part of her world and she would beg to see them towards the end. Marion is also survived by many nieces and nephews that she loved dearly and thought the world of.

Marion and Bo Belding were married in April of 1957. They were both teachers and lived in Des Moines, Ankeny, Wall Lake, than back to Des Moines. Both were graduates of Drake University. Marion had a Master’s degree in Education. She taught Earth Science and Kindergarten for over 40 years. She retired from teaching after spending over 30 years at Studebaker Elementary School.

Marion was never bored, and was always busy. Someone said recently, "She was a real go-getter." She had a lot of hobbies, her favorite was bowling. She bowled for over 60 years. After suffering a fall, she was concerned she would be missing State and National Bowling Tournaments. She loved hanging out with her bowling friends and also met up a few times a year with her high school classmates from Corydon. She loved going to Prairie Meadows and was very fond of horse racing and the horses. Marion loved to travel and had become fond of cruises. Marion loved her pool, and throwing pool parties. She always loved having family there and especially the grand and great-grandchildren.

She was proud of the fact that she was the oldest of six children in her biological family. She held her family together after her father died when she was eight years old and before she and her siblings were adopted. She was 14 when she was adopted. She loved telling people she had two birthdays, the day she was born and the date of her adoption. She also had an adoptive sister, Judy. 50 years later she reconnected with her four surviving bio-siblings and had a close bond to her brother Gene until his death in 2020.

Later in life, she got involved in attending church services at the Salvation Army on East 2nd Street downtown. She was introduced to their Men's Rehab Program because a family member was in the program. Marion loved hanging out with the men or as she called them, "her boys", after church. They took to calling her "Mom". She always made sure she took candy to share with them.

Marion touched so many lives in her lifetime and made friendships while working at Orlando's and Tumea and Sons as a waitress.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Francis Marion Belding, Jr. "Bo"; her parents; five of her six siblings; and an infant granddaughter, Jenna Jepson.

Family will greet friends Tuesday, September 27, 2022 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines. A memorial service will occur the following day Wednesday, September 28, 2022 at 2:30 pm also at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions can be directed to the family in loving memory of Marion Belding. There are plans for memorials at Studebaker and Hubbell Elementary Schools.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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