Marie Ann Heston, 68, Keokuk, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Feb. 16, 2026, at the Montrose Health Center in Montrose, Iowa, surrounded by her loving family.
She was born on March 26, 1957, to Hugo and Reta (Keilholz) Brandt in Osage County.
After completing Catholic grade school, she attended Linn High School, graduating in 1975. While in high school she met her future husband Mark as the cafeteria was shared by the high school and the Linn State Technical College where Mark graduated from.
Marie was united in marriage to Mark Heston on June 26, 1976, in Our Lady of Help Catholic Church in Frankenstein.
They moved to Keokuk, Iowa, where Marie worked as a billing clerk for Stone Container. After Stone Container closed in 2000, she went back to college and earned her degree in accounting. Marie then worked for the Keokuk Abstract Company and managed the newly renovated Hotel Iowa (assistant living) for several years. She retired from the Keokuk Abstract Company in March of 2021.
Marie was born into a loving German Catholic family with four brothers and four sisters. Being raised on a farm and being the oldest girl, Marie quickly took on to the role of cooking and helping with house chores, while her brothers helped their father who managed the farm and who started a very successful Stihl Chainsaw business which remains in operation today.
In 1984, Mark and Marie were blessed with a baby boy, Brandon. He brought them so much love and joy, enriching their lives and making their family complete. In 2005, they welcomed into their lives twin grandsons, Dayton and Dakota Heston. They brought love and joy and now playing the role of grandparents, they were a handful to keep up with. So many loving memories were made of weekends spent at Fun City in Burlington and the many trips to St Louis Zoo and Museums. Placing God first, then family and herself last is truly how Marie lived her life.
Marie and Mark would frequently travel back to Missouri for weekends of fun, being with family and playing cards. During the summer there would be many trips to Mark Twain Lake or the Mississippi river to enjoy boating and jet skiing with family and friends. Upon retirement, she became very active at All Saints Catholic Church, filling the role as a Sacristan, leading several Bible studies with her husband and being an Extra Ordinary Minister during Mass. Marie was rich in her Catholic faith and had a deep love for the Lord. She was God’s gift to us and was truly loved by all who knew her.
Marie was proceeded in death by father Hugo; mother-and father-in- law, Ruth and Loren Heston; brother, Dale; infant sister, Jennifer; and brother-in-law, Kurt Hackmann.
She is survived by husband Mark; son, Brandon; grandchildren, Dayton and Dakota Heston; mother, Reta Brandt; and siblings Melvin Brandt and wife Patsy, Nelson Brandt and wife Jean, Jane Dudenhoeffer and husband Mark, Linda Fick and husband Matt, Patricia Haslag and husband Jim and Dennis Brandt and wife Carol; along with many nieces, nephews and godchildren.
Mass of Christian Burial was held on Friday, Feb. 20, at All Saints Catholic Church in Keokuk, Iowa, with Father Hai Dinh officiating.
A second visitation was held on Saturday, Feb. 21, at St. George Catholic Church in Linn, followed by a memorial service.
Interment and graveside services were held at the St. George Catholic Cemetery in Linn, with Father Colin Franklin officiating.
Memorial contributions suggested to All Saints Catholic Church in Keokuk, Iowa, St. Vincent’s Catholic School in Keokuk, Iowa or Every Step Hospice in Mt Pleasant, Iowa.
Arrangements entrusted to DeJong-Printy Funeral Home of Keokuk, Iowa and Morton Chapel of Linn.
Tributes and condolences may be left at www.printyfuneralhome.com or www.mortonchapel.com.
