Marie B. Dare, age 87, of Washington, passed away Wednesday, November 2, 2016 at the United Presbyterian Home in Washington following a brief and valiant battle with cancer.

Celebration of life services will be held 2:30 p.m. Saturday, November 5, 2016 at the United Presbyterian Church in Washington with Rev. Bob Wollenberg officiating. Calling hours will begin noon Friday, November 4, 2016 at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. Interment will be held at Elm Grove Cemetery in Washington. A memorial has been established for the United Presbyterian Church Sanctuary Project. Online condolences may be sent for Marie's family through the web at www.jonesfh.com .

Ruth Marie Blattner was born May 26, 1929 in Washington, Iowa, the daughter of Victor J. and Mildred V. (Warren) Blattner. She graduated from Washington High School in 1947 and Phi Beta Kappa from Grinnell College in 1951. Marie was united in marriage to Richard S. Dare on June 22, 1952 in Washington, Iowa.

Marie taught physical education in Sioux City, Iowa and Landover Hills, MD. She was a faithful member of the United Presbyterian Church where she sang in the choir, taught Sunday School, led Bible Studies, and participated in many other volunteer church activities as well. In 1989, she was the Moderator of Eastern Iowa Presbytery of the PCUSA. Marie was a member of PEO, the Wednesday Study Club in Crawfordsville, as well as Braden Club. She also served on the board at the Washington Public Library and at Halcyon House. She was an avid bridge player and loved to read.

She is survived by her daughter, Vicki Geiler of Cocoa, FL; daughter, Jan Brown and husband Geoffrey of Wenatchee, WA; son, Craig Dare and wife Valerie of Apple Valley, MN; 5 granddaughters; 1 great-grandson; and two sisters, Wanda Baumert of Harper, IA and Shirley Brock and husband Paul of Ocean Springs, MS.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband in 2002, and one sister, Eva Williams.