Marjorie “Margie” Ley, 91, passed away peacefully March 14, 2026, at Mill Pond Senior Community in Ankeny, IA.

Rosary will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart Catholic Church (510 E. 1st St., Ankeny). Visitation will follow at 9:15 a.m. and Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m.

She was born April 12, 1934, to Matt and Leona Schmitt on the family farm near Tipton, KS. In 1948, the family moved to Marshalltown, IA. Marjorie graduated from St. Mary’s Catholic High School in 1952, after which she was employed as a sewing instructor for Singer Sewing Co. She met her husband, John Ley, through her older brother, Dan, when the two men were on active duty in the Air Force. John and Margie were married December 29, 1953. In 1968, after a few years on the move, the family settled in Algona, IA. Once the kids were all attending school, Margie worked at Security State Bank. In 2003, Margie and John moved to Ankeny to be closer to their family.

Margie’s love for needle work, reading, and gardening continued her entire life. She was an excellent seamstress for both herself and family. Later in life she chose to pursue knitting and quilting.

Marjorie is survived by her husband of 72 years, John Ley; their children, Sandra (Bill) Boudewyns, Kathleen (Greg) Davidson, Fred (Lauri) Ley, Ann (Steve Seward) Ley, and Douglas (Anita) Ley; 11 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and loving relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Matt and Leona (Beck) Schmitt; and her siblings, Dorothy (Richard) Kaiser, Daniel (Lu Ellen) Schmitt, Helen (Marvin) Malatek, and John (Elizabeth) Schmitt.

The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff at Mill Pond and Every Step Hospice for their compassion in caring for Marjorie.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart Catholic Church, Catholic Daughters court #1945, or Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) -Food Pantry Network.