Marlys Hopwood, 94, formerly of Deep River, passed Monday afternoon, December 19, 2022 at the St. Francis Manor in Grinnell. Graveside service will begin at 1:00 pm Saturday, June 10, 2023 at the Golden Rod Cemetery in Deep River. Funeral services were held at 11:00 am Wednesday, December 28, 2022 at the Holland-Coble Funeral Home in Montezuma. A luncheon followed the service in the Deep River Community Center. Visitation was held one hour before the service at the funeral home on Wednesday.  In lieu of flower, memorial contributions may be made to Deep River Fire Department. Holland-Coble Funeral Home of Montezuma is in charge of arrangements.

Marlys Colleen Hopwood, the daughter of Raymond and Gussie (Stephen) Johnson, was born on August 28, 1928 in Montezuma, Iowa. Marlys was a child of the Great Depression and one of "the Greatest Generation". She was not one to complain and had an excellent work ethic and a welcoming nature. She graduated from Deep River High School in 1946. Following graduation, Marlys attended William Penn University in Oskaloosa receiving her Teaching Certificate. On July 26, 1946, Marlys was united in marriage to Vaughn Hopwood in the Montezuma Christian Church. To this union four children were born, Roger, Donald, Kenneth and Joyce. Marlys mostly did substitute teaching in rural and country schools. She also worked at Sigs Manufacturing, Amana Refrigeration, owned and operated the Brooklyn Café and most recently cleaned houses for others for over 25 years. Following her retirement in 2010, Marlys moved to Seeland Park in Grinnell where she continued to clean houses parttime. She enjoyed quilting, embroidery, baking, reading and above all spending time with her family. Marlys also always looked forward to the social events at Seeland Park which included: exercising, neighbor coffeetime, monthly dinners, bocce ball, bingo and dominos. She was a member of the Jackson Church of Christ in Montezuma and then joined the Grinnell Christian Church after moving to Grinnell. Marlys was also a member of the Deep River American Legion Auxiliary serving as President for one term.

Her memory will be honored by her children, Roger (Sharon) Hopwood of Williamsburg, Donald (Leslie Dean) Hopwood of Anchorage, Alaska, Kenneth (Susan) Hopwood of Montezuma and Joyce Hopwood of West Des Moines; six grandchildren, Curtis (Kim) Ritchie, Tonya (Barry) Kiddy, Heather (Fred) Mack, Stacy (Jeremy) Van Zee, Nathan (Niki) Hopwood and Andrea Long; 16 great grandchildren; five great-great grandchildren; her sister, Louise Sanders of Springfield, MO and many nieces, nephews and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Carmen Johnson, Farrell Johnson, Raymond "Rink" Johnson and Gerald Johnson; her sisters, Elaine Kirby, Doris Brown, Ina Mae Boyd, Betty Harbert, and Marveen Wilson and two sisters in infancy, Phyllis and Norma Jean.