Marion Don Wissler

The afterlife is livelier and wittier with the addition of this Wissler.

Marion Wissler of Windsor Heights died on September 17, 2024 at Kavanagh House in Des Moines, Iowa surrounded by his family. He lived in Des Moines for 57 years—half a century in his beloved neighborhood of Beaverdale.

Marion was born July 16, 1936, in Lewis, Iowa, the son of Max and Velma Wissler. Marion grew up on the family farm west of Lewis, in what was Walnut Grove Township. He attended Lewis High School, where he played basketball and developed a lifelong love of the sport.

After graduation he was trained as a telegraph operator. He was drafted into the U.S. Army and served in the NATO peacekeeping forces in postwar Korea.

Upon returning to Iowa, Marion worked for the Rock Island Railroad around the Midwest, making friends along the way. Soon after he married the love of his life, Carolyn Kennedy, also of Lewis.

Marion had a long career with the Iowa Department of Public Safety working as a dispatcher and, later, in administration. He was a proud resident of Beaverdale. He and Carolyn in 1990 helped establish the Beaverdale Neighborhood Association and remained active supporters for many years. He also served as a board member of the Beaverdale Fall Festival.

Marion made the trek across Iowa on his bicycle twelve times, enjoying RAGBRAI. He was always amazed that he did it and Carolyn certainly helped out as the support driver.

Marion enjoyed collecting Rock Island Railroad memorabilia, tending to his garden and yard, helping his neighbors, and rooting for the ISU Cyclones. In retirement, he also picked up trash in the grassy median of Urbandale Avenue—providing lively commentary on the contributors of said trash. ("Des Moines should have the cleanest cars in the United States, because they've all thrown their trash in the street," he told a local TV news station.)

He is lovingly remembered by his son, Mike (Sara) and grandsons, Matthew and Benjamin Wissler, of Exeter, New Hampshire; and son, Steve (Cindy), of Ankeny, grandson Max (Katy) Wissler, of Urbandale, and granddaughter Zoe (JJ) Ginther, of West Des Moines. Marion cherished his family and felt blessed by their love.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Malcolm Wissler, and sister Betty Watson.

Memorial visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, September 21, 2024 at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Pkwy in West Des Moines Iowa.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, September 23, 2024 at Oakwood Cemetery in Lewis Iowa.

The family requests memorials be sent to the Hitchcock House in Lewis. Marion was extremely proud of the role that his great-grandfather, Henry Wissler, played in the Underground Railroad, working with other abolitionists in southwest Iowa. Henry was a station agent/conductor who helped freedom seekers find their way to safety, and the Hitchcock House keeps this important history alive.

Donations can be sent to: Hitchcock Advisory Board, 63788 567th Lane, Lewis, IA 51544.
hitchcockhouse.org

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