Obituary

Marsha Lynn Steele slipped away peacefully on April 27th after facing Lewy Body Dementia with remarkable courage and dignity. True to form, she did things her own way until the very end.

Born to Richard and Virginia Knupp on February 11th, 1953, Marsha brought warmth and determination to everything she touched. She leaves behind her beloved son Chris Steele, siblings Jacoline Ray Ross, John Marc Knupp, and Carl Everett Knupp, nieces, nephews, extended family and many dear friends.

For 25 years, Marsha made her mark in the corporate world, navigating the complexities of group insurance with a sharp mind for management, sales, and marketing. But anyone who truly knew Marsha understood that her heart belonged elsewhere - among the treasures and stories of bygone eras.

In 2005, Marsha followed her passion and opened "Found Things," her antique store in the East Village. More than just a shop owner, she became a neighborhood champion, serving as President of the Historic East Village Neighborhood Association from 2009-2011. Marsha took immense pride in being part of the area's revitalization, helping transform it into the vibrant district it is today. Her discerning eye for beautiful objects with histories to tell made her store a destination for those seeking something special, something with a past and a story.

After 14 years of connecting people with treasures, Marsha retired in 2019, leaving behind a community that had been enriched by her presence and vision.

Her commitment to community extended beyond business interests—Marsha was also a dedicated member of the Union Park Neighborhood Association, where she served as Co-Chair for 9 years. The beautiful home and garden she created on Thompson Avenue (which she proudly called "the prettiest street on Des Moines' east side") reflected her artistic eye and nurturing spirit. Her flourishing garden was one of her greatest joys and a testament to her patient care and appreciation for beauty. She especially cherished her friendships with the women in her life, building a circle of support and joy that lasted decades.

Those who spent time with Marsha will remember her as someone who could spot value where others saw only the forgotten or overlooked. She had an uncanny ability to dust off the past and give it new meaning, new purpose, new life. Above all, Marsha was a true "connector" - she not only connected deeply with others but had a gift for bringing people together who needed to know each other. Her genuine curiosity and interest in others made everyone around her feel important.

Friends and family knew Marsha for her wonderful sense of humor that could brighten even the darkest days. She approached life with determination and resolute spirit, never backing down from challenges. But perhaps what defined her most was how she showed up for others - as an encourager, supporter, and enthusiastic cheerleader for those she cared about. To know Marsha was to know what it meant to have a true friend in your corner.

When not hunting for treasures or tending to her garden, Marsha immersed herself in her many passions: reading, appreciating great food, visiting spectacular gardens, and enjoying music that ranged from Opera to Sting. She had a particular fondness for films starring her favorite actor, Daniel Day Lewis. Marsha was perpetually in motion — if she wasn't working at her store, she could be found tackling home improvement projects, helping friends with their gardens, painting, or arranging flowers for friends and the owners of Dalton's Flowers in Kansas City. She also maintained a keen interest in news and politics, staying informed and engaged with the world around her. Her diverse passions reflected a woman who embraced life fully and with enthusiasm.

We invite those who knew and loved Marsha to celebrate her life the way she lived it - appreciating beauty in unexpected places, finding connection through shared stories, and recognizing that sometimes the most valuable things are those that carry the marks of time.

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday June 6, 2025 from 3:00-6:00 pm at Iles Dunn’s Chapel, 2121 Grand Ave. Des Moines, Iowa 50312.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to National Public Radio in Marsha's memory.

Thank you, Marsha, for showing us how to find the extraordinary in what others might pass by. You were, and always will be, quite a find yourself.


Arrangements by Dunn's Chapel.

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