Marcia Riley

Marcia Riley , 74, of Creston, Iowa, passed away June 18, 2024 at the Kavanagh House, Des Moines, Iowa. Memorial Services will be 11:00 A.M., Tuesday, June 25, 2024 at the Creston United Methodist Church, Creston, Iowa with Rev. Jodi Rushing officiating. Pearson Family Funeral Service & Cremation Center of Creston is in charge of arrangements. Family will receive friends 5:00 – 7:00 P.M., Monday, June 24, 2024 at the funeral home. Burial will be 11:00 A.M., Monday, July 1, 2024 at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery, Adel, Iowa. Memorials may be directed to the United Methodist Church and/or the Gibson Memorial Library for children’s books. Memories and on-line condolences may be left at www.pearsonfuneralhomes.com. 

Marcia Lynn (Rusk) Riley, daughter of Leland and Lois (Wolf) Rusk, was born October 21, 1949 in Creston, Iowa. She graduated from Creston High School in 1967 and Northwestern Missouri State with a bachelor’s degree in Education in 1970. On May 22, 1971 Marcia was united in marriage to John (Frank) at the First United Methodist Church in Creston.

Marcia taught at Creston Community School District for 39 years, primarily as a 3rd grade teacher, and continued to substitute teach well into her retirement. Marcia impacted the lives of her students with her passion for teaching and her ability to tap into their potential.

During retirement she became very active in the community. She enjoyed her involvement with the local PEO chapter, Friends of the Gibson Memorial Library board, Creston Area Food Pantry, and served on many committees at the First United Methodist Church in Creston. Marcia also enjoyed being involved in many of her grandchildren’s activities. Her love for travel took her to many locations around the world, including spending many winters in Arizona.

Marcia was preceded in death by her father, Leland Rusk Jr., and her grandparents.

Left to cherish Marcia’s memory are her husband Frank Riley of Creston, Iowa; sons: Keith (Hilary) Riley of Raymore, Missouri, Ryan Riley, DDS of Des Moines, Iowa; two grandchildren: Evan Riley and Kaylee Riley; mother, Lois Rusk of Des Moines, Iowa; brother: Randall (Teresa) Rusk of Caloundra, Australia; two nieces and many, many friends.