Celebration of Life services for Marie Means, age 95, of Villisca, Iowa, who entered into peace Monday, June 4, 2012 at her residence in Villisca will be held 10:00 a.m., Thursday, June 7, 2012, at the United Methodist Church, Villisca, Iowa with Pastor Gordon Scott officiating . Visitation with the family will be held 5-7 p.m., Wednesday, June 6, 2012 at the United Methodist Church, Villisca. Burial will be in the Villisca Cemetery, Villisca, Iowa. Memorials may be directed to United Methodist Church or to the Villisca Library. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on our website at, www.ritchiefuneralhome.com under Obituaries. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Clarinda, Iowa.

Dorothy Marie (Casey) Means was born September 22, 1916 in Grant Township, Adams County, Iowa, the daughter of Melvin and Ada (Moser) Casey. Marie attended rural school in Adams County and Corning High School. She worked as a domestic in many homes. Marie married Clark Means February 24, 1942 in Omaha, Nebraska. To this union two sons, Stanley Allen and Dennis Earl were born.

Marie and Clark lived on their farm northeast of Villisca until February 1977 when they moved to their new home in Villisca. Marie had the first meeting of the "This 'N That" club in her country home. She was a member of the Methodist Church and served in many offices of the women's group as well as church board. Marie served as chairman of the church kitchen remodeling committee. She served four years on the Montgomery County Extension Women's Committee and was Montgomery County Extension Homemaker of the Year in 1969. Marie was an active member of Coffee Club, Progress Club, and Farm Bureau. She was selected as Progress Club Mother of The Year in 1992.

Marie's hobbies included making quilts, embroidering, crocheting, playing cards and reading. She also enjoyed gardening and yard work. Over the years, Clark and Marie belonged to several card clubs. They also square danced and belonged to the Circle 8 Square Dance Club for over thirty five years. Clark and Marie enjoyed camping and traveled extensively with the Holiday Rambler Travel Club. They enjoyed wintering in Texas belonging to clubs there also.

Marie was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Clark Means (2005); and brother, Ray Casey.

Left to cherish her memory are her sons, Stanley Means and wife Karen of Villisca, Iowa, Dennis Means and wife Patricia of Villisca; six grandchildren, Brent Means and wife Billie, Clint Means and wife Shona, Chad Means and wife Courtney, Tyson Means and wife Tina all of Villisca; Robyn Benco and husband Joe of Scottsdale, Arizona, Teresa Wacha and husband Tom of Ames, Iowa; fourteen great grandchildren; sister, Violet King of Florissant, Missouri; nieces; nephews; other relatives and many friends.

Marie will be greatly missed by her loving family and friends;
her memory will live on in their hearts.
May God grant comfort and peace to those who mourn her passing.