Douglas Duane Marsh, 79, passed away at his home in Greene on Monday, October 2, 2023, after a courageous battle with cancer. Woodley Funeral Home of Greene is caring for Douglas and his family.
A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 7, 2023, with public visitation starting at 11:00 a.m. until service time at St. Peter Lutheran Church, 324 E Traer St, Greene. Reverend Gary Hatcher will be officiating with burial to follow at Rose Hill Cemetery in Greene.
Douglas was born September 17, 1944, at Charles City, Iowa, the son of Ralph Marsh and Gertrude (Stubbe) Marsh. Doug grew up on a farm west of Greene and received his education in country school until 8th grade and then went to town to finish high school. Doug was an outstanding high school athlete and participated in basketball, football, and baseball. He loved baseball the most, and in the summer of ‘61 he played high school baseball, Junior Legend, and semi-pro baseball in Allison coached by Vernon Harms. After high school he went on to Mason City Community College to play football and baseball.
After reinjuring the elbow on his throwing arm, Doug enlisted in the United States Navy in 1963 and served in Naval Intelligence as a Communications Technician until he was Honorably Discharged in 1967. He boasted that he could decipher and send messages very quickly and was one of the youngest guys to be in his position. He also began playing fastpitch softball and was named “All Navy.” While in the Navy, Doug was first stationed in Pensacola, FL, and then transferred to California. While home on leave and prior to being stationed in Japan, Doug married his long-time love Susan Jane Roose. They had started dating in high school, and she was truly the love of his life. He enjoyed telling his family and friends how he told her he was shipping out to Japan, and she could either get married to him and move to Japan, or break up! Thankfully, she chose the latter, and they were married on February 7, 1965, at St. John’s Lutheran Church Vilmar. They then moved to Kamisaya, Japan, where they lived until Doug was discharged. While serving, he received the National Defense Service Medal.
In 1967, Doug and Susan moved to Greene and raised their family on the farm. They farmed with Galen and Jackie Lindell until Susan’s death from cancer in 2010. Doug and Galen were joined by Dan, Jeff Lindell, and Nate Siemons. He continued to “show the boys how to farm” and convinced people he was the brains and the muscle behind the operation until his death. He loved learning about farming and spent countless hours reading magazines, newspapers–especially the Des Moines Register, and listening to AM radio. He was very proud of his conservation efforts, drying grain, and the yields he received from his corn and soybeans. While cancer ravaged his body, he was able to get back to the farm and get into the combine one last time!
Doug was probably best known for his sense of humor, quick wit, and big stories that kept his family and friends entertained whenever they were around! Everyone in Greene knew the deer and fish weren’t QUITE as big as what he said. His fishing, hunting, and golfing trips that he took both when Susan was alive and after were a source of joy for him. He and Susan had such a wonderful group of friends with whom they traveled and spent time, and never a stranger did he meet. He loved driving around the big woods at night looking at all the deer, pheasants, and turkeys! He also loved helping young kids have places to hunt and fish. He constantly offered his properties to any young hunters and fishermen! When they stopped in to visit him or called him to tell them about their successes, it really made his day! Doug loved his kids and grandkids and was very proud of their accomplishments. They all spent a lot of time on the farm with Papa while he relegated them with countless stories of his life. His kids, grandkids, extended family and friends frequented his trips.
Doug is survived by his children; daughter, Tina (Kurt) Graven, of Greene; son, Daniel (Sara) Marsh, of Waverly; and daughter, Amy (John) Teeple, of Montezuma; grandchildren, Maxwell Teeple, Dalton (Emma) Graven, Paige (Mitchell) Siech, Taylor Graven, Claire (Sam) Joerger, Elli Teeple, Anna Teeple, Lauren Marsh, Carson Graven, and Cole Marsh; great-granddaughter Sawyer Graven; brother, Bruce (Genny) Marsh; and sisters Jackie (Galen) Lindell and Marjorie (Roger) Weichers.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Susan; his parents, Ralph Marsh and Gertrude (Stubbe) Marsh; and his in-laws, Stanley Roose and Elizabeth (Speedy) Roose; and many other special family and friends.
The family of Doug Marsh acknowledges your kind expression of thoughtfulness and sympathy during his battle. We will be celebrating Doug’s life at the farm following the luncheon and all are welcome.
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