- Born on: February 22, 1948
- Departed on: November 19, 2024
- Resided in: Altoona, IA
Marvel Jane Young Dunaway
Marvel Jane Young Dunaway passed away November 19th, 2024 in Altoona, Iowa. Her life will be celebrated February 22, 2025 at Terrace Hills Golf Course Event Center in Altoona from 3-6 PM.
Marvel was born February 22, 1948, in Des Moines, Iowa to Marguerite and Howard Young. She live in Monroe during her youth and graduated from Monroe High School. She graduated from Waldorf College then attended Iowa State University and graduated with a degree in dietetics.
She spent her life enriching the lives of others thru food and nutrition. She worked for the State of Iowa preforming nursing home food service inspections, while living in Montana she served the elderly community and women and children who participated in the WIC program, and spent many years with the the Veterans Administration at both the Knoxville and Des Moines campuses. She retired as the Director of Dietetics at the VA in Des Moines.
After retirement she continued her passion of helping others by staying politically active and using her voice to bring attention to injustices and inequities. She and her husband participated in Kiwanis for many years, including serving a year as district president, and still enjoyed participating in pancake breakfasts and chapter meetings. She was a member and volunteered for several organizations in the community and served on the board for Nutrition 4 Young Children.
Marvel loved to spend time with her family. She volunteered at her grandchildren’s school, attended many sporting events, concerts, and recitals. She loved being the Grandma taxi and staying active in their lives. Weekly lunches and taking her grandkids out for ice cream were some of her favorite activities. She loved cooking and baking with the kids and putting together large family dinners. She spent many hours in her sewing room creating works of art. She was a loyal Cyclone fan and enjoyed watching and cheering them on.
Marvel is survived by her children Sarah Gillaspie (Sone Lovan) of Altoona, Iowa and Garth Gillaspie of Pleasant Hill, Iowa. Her bonus children Jenni (Peter) Grandgeorge of Bondurant, Iowa, Brad (Lisa) Dunaway of Portland, Oregon and Gary Thornton of Ankeny, Iowa. Her grandchildren Jackson Russian, Dylan Lovan, Mia Lovan, Wendy Forman (Daniel LeCossec), Ruby Dunaway, Ellen Grandgeorge, and Gus Grandgeorge. Her faithful and loyal canine companions and protectors Lucy, Cyrus, and Addie. She is also survived by her brothers Dwight Young of Pella, Iowa and Myron (Diana) Young of Plymouth, Michigan, sister in law Bonny Young of Onalaska, Wisconsin, two of Bob’s great grandchildren, Otis and Mabel, and many nieces and nephews.
She was proceeded in death by her husband Bob, her parents Marguerite and Howard Young, and her siblings Linda Beth and Hugh Young.
Memorials in her memory can be directed to Nutrition 4 Young Children, Planned Parenthood, ACLU, or Iowa Democratic Party or Democratic candidate of your choice. Keep her memory alive by staying active in your community, standing up for what is right and just, and lifting up those around you. Spend time and cherish your friends and family and never turn down an opportunity to go out for ice cream.
Marvel was born February 22, 1948, in Des Moines, Iowa to Marguerite and Howard Young. She live in Monroe during her youth and graduated from Monroe High School. She graduated from Waldorf College then attended Iowa State University and graduated with a degree in dietetics.
She spent her life enriching the lives of others thru food and nutrition. She worked for the State of Iowa preforming nursing home food service inspections, while living in Montana she served the elderly community and women and children who participated in the WIC program, and spent many years with the the Veterans Administration at both the Knoxville and Des Moines campuses. She retired as the Director of Dietetics at the VA in Des Moines.
After retirement she continued her passion of helping others by staying politically active and using her voice to bring attention to injustices and inequities. She and her husband participated in Kiwanis for many years, including serving a year as district president, and still enjoyed participating in pancake breakfasts and chapter meetings. She was a member and volunteered for several organizations in the community and served on the board for Nutrition 4 Young Children.
Marvel loved to spend time with her family. She volunteered at her grandchildren’s school, attended many sporting events, concerts, and recitals. She loved being the Grandma taxi and staying active in their lives. Weekly lunches and taking her grandkids out for ice cream were some of her favorite activities. She loved cooking and baking with the kids and putting together large family dinners. She spent many hours in her sewing room creating works of art. She was a loyal Cyclone fan and enjoyed watching and cheering them on.
Marvel is survived by her children Sarah Gillaspie (Sone Lovan) of Altoona, Iowa and Garth Gillaspie of Pleasant Hill, Iowa. Her bonus children Jenni (Peter) Grandgeorge of Bondurant, Iowa, Brad (Lisa) Dunaway of Portland, Oregon and Gary Thornton of Ankeny, Iowa. Her grandchildren Jackson Russian, Dylan Lovan, Mia Lovan, Wendy Forman (Daniel LeCossec), Ruby Dunaway, Ellen Grandgeorge, and Gus Grandgeorge. Her faithful and loyal canine companions and protectors Lucy, Cyrus, and Addie. She is also survived by her brothers Dwight Young of Pella, Iowa and Myron (Diana) Young of Plymouth, Michigan, sister in law Bonny Young of Onalaska, Wisconsin, two of Bob’s great grandchildren, Otis and Mabel, and many nieces and nephews.
She was proceeded in death by her husband Bob, her parents Marguerite and Howard Young, and her siblings Linda Beth and Hugh Young.
Memorials in her memory can be directed to Nutrition 4 Young Children, Planned Parenthood, ACLU, or Iowa Democratic Party or Democratic candidate of your choice. Keep her memory alive by staying active in your community, standing up for what is right and just, and lifting up those around you. Spend time and cherish your friends and family and never turn down an opportunity to go out for ice cream.
