Mari-Sue Greb

Mari-Sue Greb ObituaryVisit the Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service - Iowa City website to view the full obituary.On Tuesday, March 3rd, 2026, Mari-Sue Greb passed away surrounded by her family at Oaknoll's Loft Center. Mari-Sue was a warm-hearted person that was quick with a smile, a kind word and happiness in her eyes. She also kept in frequent correspondence, sending notes, words of encouragement and humorous cards to friends and family! Often embellished with a little watercolor or drawing.Mari-Sue was born August 12th, 1933, to Louise Bowman (Ritter) and John Arnold Bowman, in Fort Madison Iowa. She graduated from Fort Madison High School in 1951. Mari-Sue kept in contact with a number of classmates, attending reunions and get togethers throughout the years. She attended Webster College in Webster Groves, MI. She received her nursing degree from Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids, IA. On August 29th, 1956, Mari-Sue and Allen Eugene, "Gene" Greb were married.In 1961, Mari-Sue and Gene, moved to Iowa City where they opened Hawkeye imports, a Volkswagen car dealership on Walnut and Summit Streets. Later they built the new Volkswagen of Iowa City dealership on Highway 6. The first of there are many Iowa City homes was on Seymour Street, where Mari-Sue was active in the Longfellow Elementary School Parents Program. Mari -Suewas head of the volunteer Candy Stripe Service at Mercy Hospital. Parenting her and Gene's five children, all the while serving the Iowa City Community. Her youngest children, we're often fixtures, playing quietly during meetings! She also served on the Johnson County Board of Health, further putting her health care interest to work. Mari-Sue returned to nursing at the UIHC neonatal nursery. She adored caring for the newborn babies and interacting with the parents. As some family moved out west, she divided her time between visits out west and Iowa City. As Mari-Sue's keen interest in serving continued, she began assisting Dr. Perle Cohen at University of Iowa School of Nursing. Their work continues to leading to a better understanding of Alzheimer's care and the need for respite for caregivers. As she and Gene began welcoming grandchildren, (now known as Nan's) she was increasingly available to go and help out! Being a beam of light in all of her grandkids lives.She was present every Wednesday at Plaza Auto Auction, owned by her son, Mark. There she worked side by side with her daughter, Lesle, arranging flowers, welcoming car dealers and registering them for the nights auction. In 2008 Mari-Sue and Gene moved to Oaknoll Retirement Center, she was active as an event greater, newcomer liaison and Sunday evening Vespers coordinator. All the while she took on volunteer work at Hancher as construction began on the new building! There she ran The Showcase and coordinated the volunteer staff. She also had a second job or was it the 4th or 5th? She worked with her friend Pat Buswell at Stuff etc. Along with Pat, and other dear friends, Mari-Sue, was a member of a beloved weekly bowling group for over 27 years! She participated in University Club and loved the Iowa Women's Basketball Team! Attending games for decades. As her adored grandchildren went on to welcome children of their own she was a constant in all her great grandchildren's lives.We would like to sincerely thank the loving professional staff at The Oaknoll- At Home program, The Loft at Oaknoll and Hospice for the gentle caring they provided Mari-Sue.We love our mother dearly, it brings us great happiness to know her light continues on as her light and thoughtfullness reached so many lives, of both people we know and those who we have yet to meet!Mari-Sue (affectionately known as Nans) was ever-present in the activities and lives of her ten grandchildren and seven greatgrandchildren.Mari-Sue is survived by her children Stephanae Bock, Mark (MaryBeth Sundblad-Greb),Jennifer Greb, Patti (Mike) Brewington and Lesle (Steve Erickson) Greb. Grandchildrenand (Great Grandchildren) are Matthew Bock and Maggie Martin (Presley, Violet,Maverick and Landon), John Greb and Sydney Greb, Nick (Jasmine) Greb (Barrett andCallen Greb), Jamie (Brandon) Horbach (Layne and Audrey Horbach), Alexander,Jacob and Mari Brewington and Ari Erickson, and nieces Sue Chelf and Terry Chadima.Mari-Sue's extended family includes Nathan (Sara), Conley, Shay and Collins Sundblad, Mindy (Greg), Issac, McKenzie and Hudson Lybeck and Chloe (Justin) Ruhs.We would like to sincerely thank the caring professional staff at Oaknoll, especially the Loft at Oaknoll and the At Home staff at Oaknoll for the gentle beautiful care they gave to our mother and to Father Andrew and Sister Agnes for their prayers and spiritual guidance.The family invites friends to celebrate Mari-Sue's life on Friday, March 27, 2026 at TheKirkwood Room, 515 Kirkwood Avenue, Iowa City from 2 pm to 4pm.In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to a local mental health organization of the donor's choice or to Inside Out Reentry Community, 804 South Gilbert, Iowa City, IA 52240Online condolences at www.lensingfuneral.comRead The Full Obituary