Marlys A. Stahlhut 81, of Tripoli, died Friday, October 23, 2015, at Unity Point Health Allen Memorial Hospital in Waterloo.

Funeral Services will be held at Faith United Church of Christ in Tripoli on Monday, October 26, 2015, at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Scott Duffus officiating. Burial will follow at Faith U.C.C. Cemetery. Friends may call from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Sunday, October 25, 2015, at Rettig Funeral Home in Tripoli and for one hour preceding services on Monday at the church.  

Marlys Ann, daughter of Herman and Emily (Schweer) Schwem, was born March 25, 1934, in Bremer County, Iowa. She was baptized and later confirmed on March 21, 1948, at St. Peter’s Evangelical and Reformed Church in Tripoli. She received her education in the Tripoli Schools and Tripoli High School. On December 27, 1950, she was united in marriage with Melvin Stahlhut, at St. Peter’s Evangelical and Reformed Church. Marlys worked at the Canning Factory in Tripoli and the Tripoli Leader. Marlys was an entrepreneur, owned and managed Stahlhut Grain and Trucking with co-owner and husband Melvin. She later worked for Allen Hospital as the head of the Business Office and I.T. Department. Marlys finished her professional career as the computer programmer for the Bremer County Treasurer’s Office, retiring in 2003. In her various managerial roles Marlys upheld a strong work ethic and mentored women and others, which lead them to their success. She was a life long member of Faith United Church of Christ, serving on the church council, and singing at the church and for weddings. Marlys always enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Up until her death she was actively engaged in the farm where she was born and raised.

Marlys is survived by her five children, Keith Stahlhut of Tripoli, Carol (Larry) Kammeyer of Tripoli, Karen (Jeff) Chapin of Moline, Illinois, Jeanne (Joel) Arends of Clear Lake, and Sandra Way of Independence; thirteen grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death her husband, Melvin Stahlhut, four siblings, Lorraine Schwem, Margaret Schwem, Irma Slack, and Arlene Steege.