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Marlene Cihak, 93, of Creston, died Monday, March 2, 2026, at Creston Specialty Care in Creston. Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 24, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Creston. Rev. Patrick Amedeka will officiate. Services will be livestreamed. Burial will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 24, in Iowa Veterans Cemetery near Van Meter. Open memorial visitation was held 2-7 p.m., with family receiving friends from 5-7 p.m. and a prayer service at 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 23, at Powers Funeral Home in Creston,
Memorials are to Holy Spirit Catholic Church or St. Malachy School. Online condolences may be made at www.powersfh.com.
Marlene Ann Cihak was born Oct. 19, 1932, to Martha Eugina (Faulk) and Ralph (Dude) Arthur Manatrey in Creston. She graduated from Creston High School in 1950 and attended Southwestern Community College.
On Aug. 18, 1954, she was united in marriage to William Joseph Cihak in Creston. They settled in San Antonio, Texas, while Bill served in the United States Air Force. In 1955, they returned to Creston and farmed southwest of town.
Marlene worked as a school secretary at Burton R. Jones Junior High for 18 years, retiring in 1996. She also worked for John Spriggs at Plaza Fashions and Palms Clothing in Creston.
In 2004, Bill and Marlene left the farm and moved to town. Marlene volunteered at the Rerun shop, helped with the Bloodmobile and assisted at voting polling places during elections. She was a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Catholic Daughters and formerly the Ladies Elks Auxiliary.
Marlene loved watching Hawkeye football and basketball, she enjoyed a great fountain cherry coke, a good book, going for drives around town and anything sweet, especially fudge and ice cream and not to mention the secret stash she hid from the great-grandkids. Anyone that knew Marlene would not dare call at 12:30 p.m. because she was watching her soap opera.
Marlene loved dressing up, coordinating her jewelry and, if a picture was involved, she had to make sure she had her lipstick on. She looked forward to getting her hair done each Friday at Shear Magic A.K.A Wendy’s Salon. This was also the time she spent visiting and catching up with friends.
Marlene was very tech savvy. She enjoyed keeping up with family and friends on Facebook and never shied away from expressing her thoughts. She would always text her family her weekly schedule along with other family members’ schedules. Marlene and the great-grandkids were very active on Snapchat. She shared a special bond with each of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Marlene cherished her family and her strong faith was a comfort to all. She was the true definition of love and was our blessing. She will be greatly missed.
Marlene is survived by two daughters, Cathy Seddon and Angela Brokaw, both of Creston; son Craig (Jamey) Cihak of San Antonio, Texas; nine grandchildren: Cassie (Adam) Randall, Stacie Brokaw (Travis Host), Alex (Dakota) Brokaw, Jason Brokaw, Justin Brokaw, Joe Cihak, Joy Cihak, Daniel Cihak, and Jack Cihak; eight great-grandchildren: Nevaeh Randall, Ashlyn Brokaw, Rohwyn Randall, Kynzlee Seddon, Harlow Randall, Kinnick Host, Mosley Randall and Amelia Brokaw; a brother Richard Manatrey of Valparaiso, Indiana; and sister-in-law Mary Ann Walsh of Creston.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Bill in 2018 and her grandson Jeremy in 2019.