Marian Koss Obituary

Marian Naomi Koss, 96, of Iowa City, Iowa passed away on Friday, August 8, 2025, at The Bird House: Hospice Home of Johnson County, surrounded by family.

Marian was born on June 26, 1929 in Sioux City, IA, the daughter of Monroe and Margaret (Longlee) Blanchard.

When young, Marian enjoyed learning music, singing and playing various instruments.

She married Charles W. Koss September 26, 1953, in Sioux City IA. They later divorced.

She worked for many years at the University of Iowa Registrar's Office, retiring in 1994.

Marian was a voracious reader and good listener.

Later in her life, Marian was most dedicated to her children and grandchildren. She had two children, one that lives on the East Coast and one that lives on the West Coast. Until her late 80s, she made it a point to visit each one, every year. She loved to be with her grandchildren and lived long enough to see them all graduate from college.

She was a loyal friend and appreciative of all her friends and earth angels (you know who you are that surrounded Marian in the last few years.

Marian's family would like to thank The Bird House for the compassionate care they showed Marian and family while she was in their care. Thank you so much.

Marian is survived by her children, Anne (Edward) Patenaude of Rye, NH and Jupiter, FL and Scott (Fang Chi) Koss of Vancouver, WA; grandchildren Jasmine Koss of Vancouver, WA, Symphony Koss of San Francisco, CA and Ryan Patenaude of Merrimack, NH.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Monroe and Margaret Blanchard and her sister, Katherine Wanda of Denver, CO.

Online condolences and memories may be shared on Marian's Tribute Wall.