White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

ROWLEY – Ruby J. Marks, 89 years old, of Rowley, Iowa, died of natural causes, Thursday, April 2, 2026.

Funeral Services will be 11:00 a.m. - Thursday, April 9, 2026, at the First United Methodist Church – Rowley. Burial will follow at the Rowley Cemetery.

Visitation will be 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at White Funeral Home in Independence, and continue for an hour before services, Thursday, at the church.

Ruby was born January 25, 1937, in rural Rowley, Iowa, the daughter of John Devere and Martha Elizabeth (Basquin) Grover. She grew up on a farm outside of Rowley and graduated from Rowley High School with the class of 1954. She was very active throughout her school years. She enjoyed basketball, theater and band and loved plays and musicals. On August 14, 1955, she was united in marriage to Roger Allen Marks at the First United Methodist Church – Rowley. Together they owned and operated Marks Locker and Grocery in Rowley, which later became Marks Locker. When Roger became disabled in 1975, Ruby didn’t skip a beat and continued to grow and manage the business. After she sold the business in 2003, she continued to work until her retirement in 2020. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Rowley.

Ruby was committed to her church, family, community. She was an organist at the church for more than 70 years and was active in the Methodist Women’s group. She helped in her church circle and was a youth leader. Ruby enjoyed her role as the Rowley Days talent show coordinator and a Chuck Wagon Dinner volunteer. She participated in the Ladies Musical and taught piano lessons for many years. She loved playing cards and had the same card club for over 40 years. Ruby was an Iowa Hawkeyes fan and an Eastern Star member. She loved seeing her grandchildren and great grandchildren and always looked forward to attending their events. Her cheerful personality and generous spirit made her a great caretaker and good friend. When faced with adversity she was determined to succeed – and she did. She was a firm believer of the saying, “Give and you shall receive.”

Ruby is survived by four daughters, Lisa (Tom) Taylor of Rowley, Teresa Rommann of Coggon, Iowa, Tammy (Kevin) Pflughaupt of New Hampton, Iowa, Sue Marks of Rowley; one son, Douglas (Peggy) Marks of Marion, Iowa; 14 grandchildren; 49 great grandchildren; 2 great great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Roger Marks; one great grandson, Kinnick Marks; and her brothers and sisters, Leland Grover (in infancy); William, Guy, James, and Max Grover, Gladys Corkery, and her twin sister Ruth Hanson.

Memorials may be directed to the Cedar Valley Hospice and Camp Courageous.

Condolences may be placed at www.White-MtHope.com.
White Funeral Home, Independence, Iowa, is in charge of arrangements.