Marlys Elizabeth Geater, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on July 3, 2026.  A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, July 18, 2026 at Gather at 109 (109 W 4th Street, Vinton) from 1 to 4 pm.  Van Steenhuyse-Teahen Funeral Home is caring for Marlys and her family. 

Maryls was born on July 18, 1935, to Harry and Laverna (Rinderknecht) Bierschenk.  She was a life-long resident of Benton County, Iowa.  Marlys graduated from Newhall High School in 1953.  On February 27, 1955, she married the love of her life, Lenard E. Geater. Their marriage was a rock-solid partnership for over 71 years.  She spent her life working alongside her husband. Their first joint venture was farming, a career that lasted 41 years.  They retired into the hobby of woodworking which quickly expanded into Barnyard Creations, a store where together they created beautiful pieces of furniture for customers across the world and many pieces for their family to cherish.  

Marlys was the foundation of her family.  She will be remembered for the motto “a family who works together, plays together.”  She had the ability to take a job and turn it into a fun family activity. She was a role model: hard-working, creative, resourceful, and compassionate. She took great pride in her bookkeeping, landscaping, gardening, cooking, and sewing. She always served the best meals.  Marlys enjoyed neighborhood card parties and hosting a monthly gathering for friends and fellow farmers. 

Marlys is survived by her husband, Lenard Geater; her daughters Diane (Dennis) Landrus of Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Debra (Loras) Beadle of Solon, Iowa; her grandchildren Amy (Michael) Van Wechel, Holly (Rob) Sutcliffe, Lindsey (Travis) Silko, Beth (Nate) Legue, Drew (Alyssa) Beadle, and Amanda (Jonathon) Paprocki; and her great grandchildren Lincoln, Brooklyn, Nolan, and Julian Van Wechel; Liam and Declan Sutcliffe; Evelyn Laverna, Edison and Easton Silko; Nicholas, Elijah, Monroe, and Phoebe Legue; Hailey and Owen Beadle; and Tyler and Taylor Paprocki. Marlys is also survived by her sister, Karen Inman, and many nieces and nephews. 

Marlys was preceded in death by her parents Harry and Laverna Bierschenk, her brother and sister-in-law James and Christy Bierschenk, her brother-in-law Roger Inman, and her great-granddaughter, Elana Silko. 

In lieu of flowers, a memorial is established in her name. 

Condolences may be left at www.teahenfuneralhome.