Helen (Steenhoek) Marshall, 95, of Newton, died Monday, Feb. 10, 2020, at Newton Village Health Care Center. A memorial service will begin at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 15 at the First United Methodist Church in Newton. The family will greet friends from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at the church and again after the service with a lunch at the church. Memorials to the First United Methodist Church may be left at the funeral home.
Helen, the daughter of James and Gertie (Marks) Steenhoek, was born Oct. 1, 1924, on the family farm by Reasnor. Growing up she lived in rural Marion and Jasper counties. On Feb. 20, 1954, Helen was united in marriage with Robert Marshall in Reasnor. They made their home in Newton. Helen was a homemaker, raising her two children. She was an active member of the First United Methodist Church where she volunteered for many bereavement dinners, taught many years of Sunday school, served as a communion steward and belong to the Chat-A-Bit Club. She also was the leader of the 4-H Town Belles. Helen’s priority was always her family. She enjoyed sewing and made many of her own clothes. Helen also loved to make dresses for her granddaughters every year for their birthday and Christmas.
Helen is survived by her children, James (Gina) Marshall of Newton and M. Jane (Jack) Bentley of Mobile, Ala.; 11 grandchildren, Joshua (Kassandra) Bentley, Amy (Zach) Lautenschlager, Anna (Peter) DeRosa, Heidi (Benjamin) Bates, Michael (Leah) Bentley, Holly (Matthew) Astin, Laura (Chris) Barnard, John Bentley, Kyle (Kristina) Marshall, Emily (Joe) Buckley and Abby (Matt) Miller; her 25 great-grandchildren; two siblings, Wilma Ver Ploeg of Pella and Carl Steenhoek of Monroe; and her many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Robert “Bob” Marshall in 2018; sister, Gladys Woody; and brother, Harvey Steenhoek.
