Marlene Vickstrom

Marlene Sue Carithers Vickstrom, 78, died Sunday, September 14, 2025, at Wesley on Grand, Des Moines, IA, as a result of Lewy-Body Dementia. 

A time to share stories and memories will be this Saturday, September 20, 12-2pm, at the Thoreau Center 3500 Kingman Ave, Des Moines. There will be a private inurnment at Galesburg Memorial Park Cemetery, Galesburg, IL at a later date.

Marlene was born April 12, 1947, in Galesburg, IL to Venita Brandes Carithers and William "Bill" Baird Carithers, and was known as Suzi to them. 

Marlene graduated from Iowa Wesleyan College, following in her father's footsteps. She married Dean Vickstrom. They later divorced. They had one daughter, Britt. It was a long, difficult birth and Britt apologized to her often for it.

After living and working in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Nebraska, Marlene returned to Iowa and settled there. She worked for Principal Financial for almost 20 years and was most fulfilled in new employee orientation and diversity training. A teacher by education and training, she loved being a facilitator, encouraging people to share their own knowledge and experiences.

Marlene loved animals. She worked at Bone A Patreat and Best Friends pet sitting, volunteered at the Animal Rescue League, and gave homes to dogs, guinea pigs, chinchillas, and cats, to give as many animals as possible a better life. She succeeded.

She played double bass by ear in a symphony in southwestern Iowa, and especially loved 60s folk and Motown.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Tom Carithers, Sr; nephew Tom Carithers, Jr; aunts, uncles, and several cousins. She is survived by her daughter, Britt Carithers Vickstrom, Davenport, Iowa; niece, Shawna Davis, Florida; several cousins, and many wonderful friends.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to Animal Rescue League of Iowa, Des Moines, IA; AHeinz57 Pet Rescue and Transport De Soto, IA; or Lewy-Body Dementia Association.

She was also a DES (diethylstilbestrol) Daughter, which, while it didn't contribute to her death, did complicate her health.

Because Marlene was under hospice care, she wasn't able to be an organ donor, but she was able to donate tissue.

Britt truly thanks all Marlene’s friends and the staff at Wesley on Grand for their care and empathy.

Marlene was a kind, thoughtful, generous, adventurous, funny, and caring person. Britt is so grateful to be her daughter.