In Loving Memory MARLA NISSEN KIENAST
1942 - 2003

Service SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2003, 2:00 PM
ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH MANNING, IOWA

Officiating PASTOR DANIEL VOGEL

Congregational Hymns "HOW GREAT THOU ART" "AMAZING GRACE" "WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS"
FERN JENSEN, ORGANIST

Interment MANNING CEMETERY MANNING, IOWA

Casketbearers DICK LORENZEN, LYNN PHILLIPS, GENE LOHRMANN, ROGER HARM, JOHN CAMPBELL, DARWIN DAMMANN

Honorary Casketbearers DONNA HARM, RUBY EDMUNDS, JOYCE CAMPBELL, SUZETTE RUDNICK, CAROLYN LORENZEN, JUDI STRIBE

THE FAMILY WISHES TO EXPRESS THEIR GRATITUDE FOR YOUR KINDNESS EVIDENCED IN THOUGHT, WORD, AND DEED, AND INVITES YOU TO JOIN THEM FOR LUNCH AND FELLOWSHIP AT THE CHURCH FOLLOWING THE COMMITTAL SERVICE.


Marla Nissen Kienast
Marla Lou, daughter of Henry John and Norma Ida Anthony Lamaack was born July 12, 1942, at Manning General Hospital in Manning, Iowa. She attended country school near her home at Iowa Township #2 and graduated from Manning High School in 1960. Marla then worked as the Superintendent's secretary at the school and at the Ford garage.

On February 12, 1961, Marla was united in marriage with Allen J. Nissen at Zion Lutheran Church in Manning. A son Brian was born to this union. They lived and farmed in Hayes Township and also raised purebred Spotted Poland China hogs. Marla also worked in the New Hope group home, Stein's Service and eventually worked part-time at Manning Insurance Agency and Manning Regional Healthcare Center. Allen died on June 1, 1988.

On March 18, 1995, Marla was blessed with a second marriage, this time to Leland Herman Kienast at Zion Lutheran Church in Manning. Marla and Leland lived southwest of Manning. Leland died May 13, 1999.

Marla was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Manning where she was baptized and confirmed. She enjoyed crocheting, playing Euchre, playing organ and baking cookies.

Marla continued to work at the insurance agency and hospital until October of 2002 when she experienced a reoccurrence of cancer. She died Wednesday, February 12, 2003, at Manning Regional Healthcare Center in Manning, Iowa, at the age of 60 years and 7 months.

Marla was preceded in death by her parents, both husbands, a sister-in-law Lois Tegels and a brother-in-law Harvey Kienast.

She is survived by her son Brian Nissen, and special friend Jodi Jensen, of Missouri Valley; a sister Valda and husband Gordell Lamp of Manning: a brother Allan Lamaack of Manning; two stepsons: Tim Kienast and wife Joni and Bary Kienast and wife Karen, all of Manning; five step-grandchildren: Jill, Stacie, Jessica. Brooke and Jason Kienast: a cousin Colene and husband Gene Lohrmann of Manning; a special friend Duane Vetter of Denison; and by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

When Tomorrow Starts Without Me
When tomorrow starts without me, and I'm not there to see; if the sun should rise and find your eyes, all filled with tears for me; I wish so much you wouldn't cry, the way you did today, while thinking of the many things we didn't get to say.

I know how much you love me, as much as I love you, and each time you think of me, I know you'll miss me too. But when tomorrow starts without me, please try to understand, that an Angel came and called my name, and took me by the hand, and said my place was ready, in heaven far above, and that I'd have to leave behind all those I dearly love.

But as I turned to walk away, a tear fell from my eye, for all my life, I'd always thought I didn't want to die. I had so much to live for, so much yet to do, it seemed almost impossible that I was leaving you.

I thought of all the yesterdays, the good ones and the bad; I thought of all the love we shared, and all the fun we had.

If I could relive yesterday, just even for awhile, I'd say goodbye and kiss you and maybe see you smile. But then I finally realized, that this could never be, for emptiness and memories would take the place of me.

And when I thought of worldly things I might miss come tomorrow, I thought of you, and when I did, my heart was filled with sorrow.

But when I walked through heaven's gates, I felt so much at home, when God looked down and smiled at me, from His golden throne.

He said, "This is eternity, and all I've promised you. Today for life on earth is past, but here it starts anew. I promise no tomorrow, but today will always last, and since each day's the same day, there's no longing for the past.

You have been so faithful, so trusting and so true. Though there were times you did things, you knew you shouldn't do. But you have been forgiven and now at last you're free. So won't you take My hand and share My life with me?"

So when tomorrow starts without me, don't think we're far apart, for every time you think of me, I'm right here, in your heart.
David Romano, Author


Marla Nissen Kienast is buried in the Manning Cemetery
Section G Row #6 South - North