Marian Ruth Ponder

Marian Ruth Ponder, 90, passed away November 9, 2022.  Marian was born July 12, 1932 to Lee and Leone Rigdon in Dunkerton, Iowa.  She graduated from Iowa State Teachers College (now University of Northern Iowa) in 1952 at 19 years of age graduating top in the math department and winning the “Purple & Old Gold Award”, the highest award given by the college.  Marian married Joseph “Glen” Ponder on June 28, 1953 and they celebrated their 66th anniversary in 2019 before the passing of Glen the following February. 

She began her teaching career in Anamosa and Monroe before coming to Newton in 1956.  During the seventies she enhanced her credentials by obtaining a Masters degree in Education and adding another 45 credit hours over the years.  The majority of her career she taught formal geometry at Newton Senior High School and retired from teaching in 1991.  

After retirement, she made over 100 trips with various family members and friends to places in the United States and over forty countries around the world.  Traveling was one of her greatest joys which she passed on to her sons.  Marian was a longtime member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, a professional society of women educators from 1958 to the present, and held many leadership positions both in Iowa and Internationally and was on their Board of Trustees.  She was an active member of the Community Heights Alliance Church and served for many years as Superintendent of Sunday School and various other church committees.  

Marian is survived by her three children: Dwight (LeAnn), David, and Dean (Myla), four grandchildren: Sara, Jason, Stacia, and Caitlan, and several nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and three brothers.

Funeral services for Marian, and also honoring Glen, will be held Saturday, November 19, 2022 at 11AM. The family will greet friends from 10 AM until the time of service at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory, 1115 E. 19th Street N., Newton.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.