Obituary

Marshall Francis Hurley, age 88, of Des Moines, Iowa, passed away on May 19, 2025, of natural causes.

He was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, to Judge Marshall F. and Catherine (Donohue) Hurley. He married his wife, Carolyn Svang, in 1961, and was a loving father to his daughter, Kathleen, and a doting grandfather to his granddaughter, Anna.

Marshall attended Central High School in St. Paul and graduated with honors from the University of Minnesota with a degree in Spanish. Marshall continued his love of language by pursuing a master’s degree at the University of Mexico. He worked as a teacher and in publishing houses including J.B. Lippincott and Co., Simon & Schuster, Viacom, and Modern Curriculum Press.

Marshall was a dedicated member of the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) community with 41 years of sobriety. He helped many people on their recovery journeys, with some crediting him for saving their lives. He volunteered for the AA Events Committee, helping with children’s Christmas parties, summer picnics, and athletic events. He is much loved and will be dearly missed.

Marshall is survived by his wife, Carolyn; brother, John (Sandra); daughter, Kathleen (Kun Nong); granddaughter Anna; nieces, Sara Hurley (Megan Kocher) and Steffanie Svang; nephews, Brian Hurley (Sara Hurley) and Einar Svang II (Barbara), and many great nieces and nephews.

Marshall’s memorial service will begin at 4:00pm, Tuesday, July 1, 2025 at Iles Dunn’s Chapel, 2121 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50312, with a dessert reception to follow in the Dunn’s atrium.

In lieu of flowers you may make a donation to the charity of your choice in Marshall’s honor.

ILES DUNN'S CHAPEL

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