Aletha Catherine Panek

Aletha Catherine Panek, 87, of Robins, Iowa, formerly of Marion, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, August 15, 2026, surrounded by her loving children at Emery Place. A visitation will be held from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 23, 2026, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Marion. A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, August 24, 2026, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, located at 1790 14th Street, Marion, with Reverend Jim Brokman officiating. Burial will follow at St. John's Cemetery in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Aletha was born on October 2, 1938, in Ossian, Iowa, the daughter of Joseph and Hildagard (Zweibohmer) Powers. After high school, she attended Kirkwood Community College and Mt. Mercy University. On June 20, 1959, Aletha was united in marriage to Norbert P. Panek in Monticello, Iowa. To this union, five children were born. Aletha and Norbert later divorced. She was a social worker for the Department of Human Services in Iowa and Marriage and Family Consultants Inc. until her retirement in 2004. Aletha was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Marion. She was known for her creativity and generosity. Over the years, Aletha lovingly handmade more than 400 unique Christmas stockings, personalizing every single one for family and friends. Christmas was truly her favorite time of year and definitely her specialty; she loved bringing everyone together for the holidays and sharing her delicious homemade candies, cookies, and legendary cinnamon rolls. Aletha will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Aletha is survived and lovingly remembered by her children, Dr. Connie MacQueen of Elmhurst, Illinois, Robert Panek of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Richard (Tori) Panek of Des Moines, Iowa, and Ann Buckley of Des Moines; 10 grandchildren, Michael (Emily) MacQueen, Meaghan (Josh) Francis, Alyssa Panek, Ashley (Brian) Chelminski, Alex (Tara) Oshel-Panek, Jacob (Maddie) Panek, Austin Panek, Abby (Alec) Ginsberg, Taylor (Peter) Carlson, and Benjamin (Ashli) Buckley; eight great-grandchildren; siblings, Colleen Weber of Monticello, and Clayton (Fran) Powers of Clifton, New Jersey; sister-in-law Marilyn Powers of Chicago, Illinois; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; son at infancy, Charles J. Panek; son-in-law, Jeff MacQueen; and brothers, Fred and Cloy Powers.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Aletha’s memory may be directed to Mercy Hospice.