Marion Dee Briley

Marion Dee Briley, the oldest of five children of Ernest Newell and Alice Janora (White) Knipfer, was born at her parents' farm home east of North English, Iowa on December 9, 1933. Marion grew up in North English where she graduated from North English High School in 1952. She attended Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa and received a Two-Year Teaching Certificate. Marion started her teaching career teaching elementary in Baxter, Iowa for one year followed by four years at Keota, Iowa and three years at Johnston, Iowa. Marion continued her education at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa receiving her Bachelor's Degree. Marion and Donald Anthony Briley of rural Malvern, Iowa were introduced by a mutual friend and carried on a long distance romance, while Marion was in Des Moines, until they were married at the United Methodist Church in North English on July 14, 1963. They made their home on a farm north of Malvern and Marion taught for one year in the Malvern Community School District. She became a stay at home mother while their children, William Ernest, John Anthony, and Alice Victoria were young. In 1977, the family moved to their home at 95 Main Street in ...[more]

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vern. Marion, realizing that the family needed two incomes, earned her special education teaching certificate and in 1980, accepted a special education position at the Nishna Valley School near Hastings, Iowa. She taught there until retiring in 1999. Marion enjoyed reading and crossword puzzles; however, her greatest enjoyment was found in her family and the time they spent together. Marion and Don had been married for 38 years when Don died on June 20, 2002. Marion, Bill, and Alice continued to live in the family home and care for the needs of one another. In 2007 and 2008, Marion and Alice went to stay with Marion's sister Jane in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, as both Marion and Jane recovered from illnesses. Marion and Alice returned to Malvern in 2008. Marion's Alzheimer's required her to move to Faith Ridge Life Center in Malvern in 2009 and to Hospice with Heart in Glenwood, Iowa in 2011 where she stayed until her death on April 19, 2012, at the age of 78 years, 4 months, and 10 days. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband. Marion is survived by her children, William E. (Bill) Briley and Alice Briley, both of Malvern, and John Briley and wife Sheila Toigo-Briley of Adel, IA, and their four children, Jeremy Ervin of Des Moines, IA, Jacob A. (Jake) Ervin of Van Meter, IA; and Sarah and Emma Briley, both of Adel; sister Jane Knipfer of Cedar Rapids; brothers, Ross Knipfer and wife Carol of North English, Stanley Dean Knipfer and wife Donna of Keosauqua, IA, and Glenn Knipfer and wife Dixie of North English; and by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. A memorial fund has been established. Interment in Hastings Cemetery.