Marla J. Fielder

Marla passed away Saturday evening, February 14, 2015, at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines at the age of 65 years, 10 months and 21 days. Marla J. Fielder, daughter of Frank Garwood Jr. and Norma Lee (Phillips) Smith, was born March 24, 1949, in Oskaloosa, Iowa. The family moved to Oskaloosa when Marla was a young child and she attended Oskaloosa Schools from which she graduated in 1967. Marla continued her education at N.E. Missouri State University (now Truman State University), graduating in 1971. She married Darrell Willamon in 1972, and they made their home in Ames and later Huxley. During that time, Marla worked as a bookkeeper at Ruan Corporation. After her divorce from Darrell, Marla returned to Oskaloosa with her two young children and attended William Penn College where she studied accounting. Following her education at William Penn College, Marla worked as a bookkeeper at Mahaska Manor, Siesta Park and Pleasant Park Nursing Homes. In 1988, Marla met Terry Lee Fielder, they dated for five years and were married, April 17, 1993, in Oskaloosa. Marla’s own experience with vision loss gave her a passion to help others experiencing obstacles in their lives. She served on the board of the Independent Living Center early in its inception and was instrumental in implementing strategies to aid individuals in practical ways. Marla was an avid reader, genealogist and also loved antiques, she and her dear friend and business partner, Mary Stout, ran The Antique Shop together. She was a member of the Central United Methodist Church and a former treasurer and member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She will be remembered as a strong determined woman. She was her children’s greatest advocate and was willing to fight for what was best for them. She never disclosed her vision impairment to many, but was always willing to help others through their hurdles. Marla’s family includes her husband of almost 22 years, Terry Fielder; a daughter, Amanda Willamon of Jermyn, PA; a son, Luke Willamon of Omaha, NE; brothers: Michael (Nellie) Smith of Oskaloosa and Steve Sheehy of Florida; many other close family members including: Susan Sheehy of Oskaloosa, Sally (Leland) Vander Linden of Pleasantville and Sara Lou (Bill) Landstrum of Hot Springs Village, AR and her best friends: Mary Ann and Rodney Fawcett of Oskaloosa. She was preceded in death by her parents. Funeral Services for Marla will held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday morning, February 18, 2015, at Garland-Van Arkel-Langkamp Funeral Chapel with Pastor Alvern Boetsma of The Good News Chapel officiating. Burial will be in Forest Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday, at the funeral chapel. Memorials may be made to the American Legion Post #34. PDF Printable Version

Marla J. Fielder

February 14, 2015 - February 14, 2015