Marilee Kay Schleusner

Marilee Kay Schleusner, age 65, of Rock Rapids, IA, died unexpectedly on Monday, August 17, 2026, at Avera Merrill Pioneer Hospital in Rock Rapids, IA.

Public visitation will be on Friday morning, August 21st from 11:00 to 1:00 PM, with the family present from 11:00 to 12:00PM, at The Rock Community Church in Rock Rapids.

Funeral service will be at 1:00PM, Friday, August 21st at The Rock Community Church in Rock Rapids, with Pastor Travis Remme officiating.   Livestream of Funeral Service

Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in Rock Rapids, IA.

Marilee Kay Schleusner, age 65, of Rock Rapids, Iowa, passed away on August, 17, 2026 in Rock Rapids.

Marilee was born on December 18, 1960, in Estherville, Iowa, to Kenneth L. Jacobson and Mary Ann Vedder. She attended school in Urbandale, Emmetsburg and later graduated from Laurens-Marathon High School. She continued her education at the University of Northern Iowa and Mankato State, where her studies included Home Economics and English.

On August 4, 1985, Marilee married Dave Schleusner at the United Methodist Church in Laurens, Iowa. Together, they built a life centered around family and were blessed with two daughters. After living in several communities, Marilee and Dave made their home in Rock Rapids in 1988.

Marilee spent many years working for the Lyon County Assessor’s Office before retiring in 2023. Outside of work, she generously shared her time and talents with her church and community. She was active at The Rock Community Church, participated in River Valley Players, Beta, P.E.O., and served as a 4-H leader for several years. Music was also an important part of Marilee’s life. She taught piano lessons for nearly 35 years, accompanied students for solo contests and shared her gifts through the church, including teaching Sunday school for many years.

Above all, Marilee treasured her family. Those left to cherish her memory include her husband, Dave Schleusner; her daughters, Natalie (Michael) of Minnetonka, Minnesota, and Kendra (Troy) of Sioux Center, Iowa, and their families; six grandchildren, Finn, Valerie, David, Max, Miles, and Zoey; her sister, Annie (Ryan) Westphal of Greensburg, Indiana; her mother-in-law, Patricia Schleusner of Rock Rapids, IA; as well as extended family and many friends.

Marilee was preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth Jacobson and Mary Ann; her stepfather, Robert Orr; her nephew, Alexander Westphal; and her father-in-law, Vincent Schleusner.

Marilee found joy in the people and things she loved most—her family, her faith, music, theater, and serving others. She had a gift for showing up, helping out, and sharing her talents, and the impact she made on her family and community will be felt for years to come.