Marlys Davis

Marlys Davis, 85, died December 25, 2014, at Ramsey Village in Des Moines, IA. The family will receive friends from 5pm-8pm on Friday, January 2, 2015, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, ND, with the funeral service the next day at 11:00 am, Saturday, January 3, 2015, at the same location. Marlys was born December 29, 1928, to Porter and Alice Nelson of rural Regan, North Dakota. She was one of seven children. She graduated from Regan High School in 1946 and went on to Valley City Teacher's College where she earned her teacher's certificate. After teaching in different two-room school houses in rural North Dakota, she was united in marriage to Leland "Bill" Davis in 1948. They made their home in Regan, ND, where Bill was the general manager of the grain elevator while Marlys was a homemaker. They raised their five children there. In 1968, Bill accepted a sales position with Cenex and the family moved to Bismarck, ND. They then moved twice more, first to Valley City, ND and finally, to Humboldt, Iowa, where they lived until Bill's passing in 2007. In 2011, Marlys relocated to Ankeny, IA, to be closer to her family members. Marlys' passion was cooking and she had an extensive cookbook collection. She and Bill loved to entertain in their home and hosted some very memorable parties for friends and family. She was a member of the Red Hat Society and the United Methodist Church. She enjoyed traveling, playing bridge, spending time with her grandchildren and was an avid follower of current events. Marlys was preceded in death by her husband, Bill; her sisters Mercedes, June, Norma Jean, her brother DuWayne, and her son-in-law, Greg Cleveland. She is survived by her sisters Deloris and Colleen; children Jackie Cleveland, Scottsdale, AZ, Sandy Davis, Ankeny, IA, Dwight Judy Davis, Sheboygan, WI, Jeff Nita Davis, Carlton, MN, and Kris Greg Baird, Ankeny, IA, her 11 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. The family would like to express our thanks to Ramsey Village in Des Moines, IA, and Hospice of Central Iowa for the wonderful help and care she received. If desired, memorial contributions can be sent to the 'Food Bank of Iowa', 220 E 17th St., Des Moines, IA 50316.

Marlys Davis

December 29, 1928 - December 25, 2014