Marjorie Whitley

Marjorie Ann Whitley, 91, of Mount Vernon, Iowa, passed away on Friday, October 2, 2026, at St. Lukes Hospital, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Marjorie Ann Whittemore, born July 22, 1935, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Carl and Verla (Keith) Whittemore.

She graduated from Delhi High School, in Delhi, Iowa, in 1953. She started her career in the telegraph office of the Union Pacific Railroad Company in Omaha, Nebraska. It was there she met her husband of 54 years, Wesley Whitley. They were married on December 2nd, 1955, and had four children, Mark, Carla, Ann, and Judy.

Marj devoted her life to the people she loved. She took great joy in their successes and gave great support during difficult times. She enjoyed several passions; gardening, painting,photography, scrapbooking, genealogy, traveling, and decorating her home. It would not be an exaggeration to say she’s made, and decorated, several hundred cakes for family and friends over the years.

Marj was a devout member of the Mount Vernon United Methodist Church, where she sang in the Chancel Choir for decades. Additionally, she was a member of the Dillion’s Furrow Antique Club; Chapter DT PEO, and worked with the Boy Scouts of America, and the Campfire Girls

Many people held a special place in her heart. The Damon-Moore and Denniston families were especially close. Linda Stoneking, her dear friend, was a big part of the reason why Marj was able to live in her home for many years, and for that, the family and Marj are grateful.

Marj is survived by her brother David (Jan) Whittemore and sister Judy Husmann; children, Mark (Heidi) Whitley of Lisbon, Iowa, Ann (Mike) Wattleworth of Mount Vernon, and Judy (Al) Whitley-Steed of Kansas City, Missouri; grandchildren, Mark (Sara) Whitley, Lindsay (Joey Rook) Kula, Holly Myers, Stacy Wattleworth, John (Deb Johnson) Wattleworth, Ashley (Bryan) DeMatto, David (Venice) Riggins, Keith Riggins, Hannah Whitley, Jonathon (Lexi) Whitley; great-grandchildren, Adrianna (Joe) Strain-Whitley, Connor Wattleworth, Brooklynn Myers, Cadence Kula, Vincent and Lillian Sayre, Lincoln Felice, Brady and Tucker DeMatto, Carter, Aaiden, and Ryland Riggins and Daruis and Vita Riggins; sister-in-law Elsa Staley; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She is preceded in death by her parents Carl and Verla Whittemore; husband, Wesley Whitley; daughter, Carla Whitley; brothers, Bob Whittemore, Don Whittemore, and Carl Lee Whittemore; and granddaughter, Whitley Ann Wattleworth.

Marjorie’s celebration of life will be held at the Mount Vernon United Methodist Church in Mount Vernon, Iowa, on Saturday October 10th, 2026. The visitation will be held at 2:00 pm, followed by the celebration of life at 3:00 pm. Reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to the Mount Vernon United Methodist Church or the Lisbon – Mt Vernon Ambulance.