"Nancy was my high school US History, Econ and Psych teacher at Twin Rivers of Bode High School in the mid-1970s. She and I kept in touch and went for morning walks together when we lived close to each other in Ames in the early 1990s. She is a person who had a positive influence on my life - and Del as well. I am sad her brilliant mind left her. My condolences to all."
In loving memory of
Nancy Marks
March 31, 1940 - January 28, 2024
Nancy Marks, 83, died Jan. 28, 2024, of complications of Alzheimer's disease at Northridge Village in Ames. She had lived in Ames since 1990 and had been a resident of the Northridge Village memory care facility since May 2022. Her health declined after she suffered a broken hip in a fall on Thanksgiving Day 2023.
A prayer service led by Pastor Hannah Hannover of the Ames United Church of Christ will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 3, 2024, at The Parlor (119 Washington Street, Ames, Iowa 50010) with a time of food and fellowship to follow from 12:00 until 2:00 p.m. Nancy's ashes will be interred at a later date at Marble Valley Cemetery near Gilmore City.
Nancy was born March 31, 1940, in Sioux City, Iowa, and adopted at the age of three months by C. Phillip and Beatrice Rice Camp. Her parents both were teachers and they lived in several Iowa communities before settling in Denmark, Iowa, where Nancy graduated from Denmark Academy High School in 1957. She attended junior college in Burlington, Iowa, and graduated from Iowa State Teachers College, now the University of Northern Iowa.
Nancy taught English and social studies classes at schools in Fort Dodge and Bode, Iowa, for about 15 years before returning to UNI to earn a graduate degree in student counseling. She then served as a guidance counselor at schools in New Hartford, Renwick, Kanawha, Corwith, State Center and 10 years at North Polk Schools in Alleman before retiring in 2000. After retirement Nancy taught for another seven years as a part-time adjunct instructor at the Boone Campus of Des Moines Area Community College.
Nancy was married on June 12, 1960, to Eldon Warren at Gilmore City, Iowa, where they lived until Eldon's death in 1981. They were the parents of a son Elliot who died at the age of 8 in 1979 after a long battle with leukemia.
On July 30, 1983, Nancy was married to Del Marks, a widower with two children, at Humboldt, Iowa. They lived in Humboldt until moving to central Iowa in 1988.
Nancy is survived by her husband, Del; step-children Dan Marks and his wife Teresa of Ames and Mary Sell and her husband Michael of Cedar Falls; seven grandchildren, Bryant Marks and his wife Kaylla, Reid Marks and his wife Maddie, Jacob Marks, Julia Marks, Sophia Sell, Diana Sell and Maxwell Sell. Also surviving are three nieces who live in Washington state. In addition to her parents, first husband and son, Nancy was preceded in death by a brother Clyde Camp, his wives Marguerite and LaVonne, and a niece.
Nancy was an avid reader, belonging to as many as five book clubs at a time, and also an enthusiastic sports fan who frequently attended ISU women's basketball and volleyball games. In retirement she participated in the Homewood Ladies Golf League and the ISU Women's Club bowling league and also enjoyed memberships in the Story County League of Women Voters and the Ames chapter of the American Association of University Women and participation in Democratic party politics. She had been a member of the Ames United Church of Christ for more than 30 years.
For online condolences please visit www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com
Tributes
"I am so very sorry to hear of Nancy?s passing. I remember her as strong, smart and funny with a heart of gold. I know she will be missed. Sending love to you all, Barb Bailey"
"Oh Nancy, You wrapped your arms around my best friend and cared for her and her family with great love for many years. Thank you for keeping the cupboards stocked with Mac and Cheese for us when we were younger, for always being on the sideline cheering us along throughout life, and for so freely sharing your genuine smile anytime we met. Rest peacefully, Nancy. Kris Gilman"
"On behalf of the Ames United Church of Christ Theologian in Residence committee, we will remember Nancy as an enthusiastic and gifted supporter of our TIR program for many years. She understood the importance of education and questioning as part of a faith journey. We have followed her alzheimer's journey, one shared by many of us in our own families. We will always remember her in her best days. --Eric Abbott"