Marion Dolores Walck

Marion Dolores Walck (Garbisch), April 7, 1926 – September 5, 2026, joined her beloved husband, Alfred, and her dear son, John, in the arms of the Triune God after leading a life rich in service to her Lord, Jesus Christ.

She was born in Waltham, Minnesota, to Adolph and Alma Garbisch. She received a teacher’s certificate in 1945. After a year of teaching in rural Brownsdale, Minnesota, she met the love of her life, Alfred W. Walck, Jr. He would be leaving within several months to serve as a pastor and missionary in Papua New Guinea. Before he left, they made plans to marry in Papua New Guinea a year later, on February 6, 1947, in Lae, Territory of New Guinea.

She served alongside her husband as a missionary in the Madang area of Papua New Guinea for 25 years, from 1947 to 1972. As an LPN, she supplied medicines to local Papua New Guineans and taught well-baby clinics, sewing, and Bible classes, all of which she received additional training and certification for. Marion provided unwavering support for Alfred and their four sons.

After returning to the United States, Marion and Alfred served in the parishes of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Rochester, Minnesota; Trinity Lutheran Church in Linn Grove, Iowa; St. Peter and St. Paul Lutheran Churches in Brunsville and Merrill, Iowa; Sunrise Manor in Sioux City, Iowa; as well as in Pine Island and Wykoff, Minnesota, and Ogden, Grimes, Clive, and Bouton, Iowa. She served as organ accompanist when Al led services at various nursing homes in Urbandale, Johnston, and Des Moines. Her gifts and contributions also included writing, organizational, and computer skills while assisting in church and physician offices. She enjoyed recording stories of her family, life experiences, and photographs, as well as writing her memoir, “22 Kitchens.” She cherished her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren and loved each one of them dearly.

Marion is survived by her sons and their spouses, Rev. Dr. Leslie Walck of Urbandale, Iowa, Ken (Chris) Walck of St. Charles, Missouri, and Dan (Pam) Walck of Urbandale, Iowa; her daughter-in-law, Pam Walck of Gig Harbor, Washington; and her 12 grandchildren, Callie Walck (Cameron Bartley) of Ankeny, Iowa, Rachael (Jake) Barth of Roundup, Montana, Dr. Kerry Reding-Amrofell (Greg) of Seattle, Washington, Emilie (Perry) Marchio of Gig Harbor, Washington, Matt (Chastity) Walck of McCleary, Washington, Cassie Walck (Matt Parker) of Blue River, Colorado, Shelby (Tim) Bolhafner of Wildwood, Missouri, Dr. Elise Walck-Shannon (Ben) of St. Charles, Missouri, Aaron (Kristen) Walck of Johnston, Iowa, Chris Walck of San Diego, California, Meghan (Dr. Skyller) Stickfort of Des Moines, Iowa, and Rachael (Dr. Nick) Bartschat of Iowa City, Iowa; as well as 22 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; her niece, Marion Bradford (Steve Fickenworth); and many other nieces, nephews, and relatives.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Alfred W. Walck, Jr.; her son, Dr. John A. Walck; her daughter-in-law, Megan R. Walck (Leslie Walck); her parents, Adolph and Alma Garbisch; her sister and brother-in-law, Gladys and Chuck Warren; and two nephews, Chip Warren and KC Warren.

She lived with gratitude for God’s grace and dedication to serving Christ. She is remembered by family, friends, and former parishioners with love, tenderness, and appreciation for her kindness, thoughtfulness, faithfulness, devotion, and sweet smile.

A memorial service is planned for Saturday, September 26, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at St. Stephen Lutheran Church, 3510 72nd St., Urbandale, IA 50322.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Stephen Lutheran Church, 3510 72nd St., Urbandale, IA 50322; Faith Lutheran Church, 10395 University Ave., Clive, IA 50325; the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea (checks may be made payable to Dan Walck, 10022 Tanglewood Drive, Urbandale, IA 50322, with “ELCPNG” on the memo line); or Lutheran Services in Iowa’s Beloit Residential Treatment Center, 1323 Northwestern Ave., Ames, IA 50010.

If flowers are preferred, please have them delivered between 12:00 and 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 26, 2026, to St. Stephen Lutheran Church, 3510 72nd St., Urbandale, IA 50322.