Marie Paullus Rodemeyer

Marie Paullus Arctander Rodemeyer, of Des Moines and formerly of Hampton, left us peacefully on May 1, 2025 surrounded by her family. She was 101. A graveside service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on  Monday, May 5th, at the Hampton Cemetery and a Celebration of Life will be held 1-3:00 p.m. Sunday, July 13th, 2025, at the Harriman Park Shelter in Hampton. Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Sietsema-Atkinson Funeral Home in Hampton.

Marie was born April 29, 1924, on the family farm in Hampton, Iowa and was the fourth of six children born to Clara and Fred Paullus.

A beloved wife, mother, grandma, and aunt, Marie will always be remembered for her kindness, gift of gab, and caring personality.

Raised on a dairy farm near Hampton, she attended a one room country school and graduated from Hampton High School in 1941. She was crowned Franklin County Health Champion in her early teens and went on to compete in the state contest in Des Moines. She was also Drum Majorette in high school along with many other activities. When she was 16, her father asked her to be his secretary at the State Legislature where he was a State Representative. She was (and still is) the youngest to ever work in this position. She did this for 3 sessions in the Legislature. Marie attended AIB in Des Moines and then went to Flight Attendant school to become a stewardess for TWA. She moved to Kansas City and flew many trips around the country, mainly to New York City.

Marie married Bill Arctander in 1947 and moved to Cedar Rapids. They moved in 1952 to Des Moines and their only child, Julie Marie was born in 1956. They were married until Bill died suddenly in 1974. She then married an old Hampton acquaintance, Arnie Rodemeyer in 1994 and made their home in Hampton. They had 9 wonderful years together until his death in 2004.

Always a people person, Marie loved being involved. She was a member of Des Moines Women’s Club, Des Moines Chamber of Commerce, Des Moines Women’s Garden Club, and Master Gardeners which she shared her compassion and creativity. She was also a long-standing member of Lamda Phi Alpha sorority, nurturing many life-long friendships. While in Hampton, she was a volunteer for the Women’s Auxiliary at the local hospital.

Marie was a remarkable and devoted grandma to her three grandsons. Going to grandmas as always an adventure. She was so caring and would share her zest of life with them. She instilled her values and love of family to her precious grandsons. Wonderful memories were made.

Marie loved everyone. Her kindness, affection, and love of life was apparent. She loved to dance, but nothing made her happier than having a houseful of family and friends to visit with. She was a strong, independent, and selfless woman who was curious about everything! And her secret to a long life, “stay away from sugar”!

She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Ralph, Robert, and Rex, sister Mildred, first husband Bill, and second husband Arnie. Marie is survived by her daughter, Julie Coy, Son-in-law Joe, and grandsons Spencer, Riley, and Connor. Also, her sister, Phyllis Herman and many special nieces and nephews.

A very special heartfelt thankyou to our hospice team: Jamie, Katarina, Greg, Holly, David, and Leslie for their love and compassion that was given to Marie.