Marsha Jane Payne-Torres

Marsha Jane Payne Torres, 71, passed away peacefully with her husband at her side on Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at her residence.

Marsha was born April 28, 1953 to Darus and Mary (Angstead) Smith in Chariton, Iowa. She grew up in Chariton and graduated from Chariton High School. She married Edward Payne and from this union two daughters were born. The family moved to Kansas City where Marsha kept busy as a homemaker. She and Ed later divorced.

Marsha and the girls moved back to Des Moines and she found employment with Iowa Fire. She met Ben Torres while chatting online in an AOL chat room and they became one of the first internet connections! They were married in November 1997. Ben says Marsha was the “world's greatest wife.” She began working for the Des Moines School District as a teacher’s associate at Ruby Van Meter where she loved and was loved by all the school children.

In her spare time, Marsha was an amateur genealogist and photographer. She was very proud of her many photographs. She was fascinated with prairie life and enjoyed reading books about it. She loved her time spent worshipping at her church, New Hope Assembly of God in Urbandale.

She is survived by her husband, Ben Torres; daughters, Sarah Payne and Allison (Chevas) Mingo; grandchildren, Drake and Joshua Mingo; sisters, Nancy (Raymond) Baldwin and Melody (David) Wayne; brother, Darus Smith; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and sister.

Graveside services will be held at 9:30 a.m. Friday, March 14, 2025 at Iowa Veterans Cemetery, 34024 Veterans Memorial Drive in Adel, Iowa. (Van Meter Exit)

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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