Marianne (Seamer) Wharff died on September 23 in West Des Moines, Iowa. Marianne was born on January 21, 1940, in Clinton, Iowa, the eldest daughter of Gertrude and Gearhart Seamer. Marianne grew up on several farms in eastern Iowa, earned a teaching certificate from Mount St. Claire college in Clinton and moved to Colfax, Iowa at the age of 19 for her first teaching job. There she met her husband of 62 years David, taught generations of students in Colfax and raised her two children.

Marianne went on to complete bachelor's and master's degrees in education from Drake University in Des Moines and also taught in the Kellogg and Newton school districts. Prior to moving to Des Moines in 2010, she was an active member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Colfax. Marianne was an avid reader who also loved crossword puzzles, cryptograms, Jeopardy and later Wordle. She also supported her husband's many hobbies and the purchase of a caboose as a unique lawn ornament. In her retirement Marianne, along with David, was an avid traveler and also active in the Volksport walking club.

Marianne found her true calling in being a granny, doted on her 9 grandchildren and was a tremendous support to both of her children when they needed her. She made it a priority to be there for them for all of the important milestones, one time attending a grandson's first communion in Des Moines on Saturday and then getting to Virginia on Sunday morning in time for another grandson's first communion. She loved reading to her grandchildren, and her home was always a source of wonderful children's books. Later she and some of her grandchildren stayed connected through a virtual bookclub, bringing generational perspectives to old classics and new publications.

Marianne is survived by her husband of 62 years David, daughter Maria Cameron and son-in-law Bruce, son Michael Wharff and daughter-in-law Melissa, sister Theresa O'Brien and brother Steve Seamer, and nine grandchildren, Joseph and Jack Clarke, Matthew, Marianna, Nicholas and Ellie Wharff and Rory, Gibson and Carly Cameron. She is preceded in death by her parents Gearhart and Gertrude Seamer, brother Carlie Seamer and daughter-in-law Debbie Mancini Wharff.

Marianne's family will greet friends for visitation on Saturday, September 26, from 9:00 - 10:00 AM at Immaculate Conception Church in Colfax. A funeral mass will follow at the church, starting at 10 AM. Everyone is welcome to stay at the church after the funeral mass for a time to share memories over coffee and cookies. Burial will take place at a later date. Memorials may be made to Immaculate Conception Church in Colfax or Can-Play.org, an adaptive play program for children with disabilities founded by her daughter-in-law and son. If you're unable to attend, cards and memorials may be sent to Coburn Funeral Home, 24 W Howard St, Colfax, IA 50054.