Richard "Rich" James Foens

Richard “Rich” James Foens, 87, of Marion, Iowa, formerly of Tipton, Iowa, passed away on Friday, July 3, 2026, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha, Iowa. A Memorial Service with military honors will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Marion, with a visitation beginning at 9 a.m. A livestream of the funeral service may be accessed on the funeral home website tribute page under “videos” starting at 11 a.m.

Rich was born on September 11, 1938, in St. Louis, Missouri, the son of John and Dorothy (Pfingsten) Foens. He was a 1956 graduate of Davenport High School, where he was very active in their wrestling program. He finished 4th place in the Iowa State Wrestling Championship and was 2nd place in the State Team at 95 lbs. in 1955 and was part of the 1956 State Championship Team. He then went on to serve in the Iowa Army National Guard as a Staff Sergeant for six years.

On September 22, 1963, Rich was united in marriage to Marvel Ann Kellerhals in Bennett, Iowa. Together, Marvel and Rich owned and operated Tipton Shoe Repair in Tipton, where they spent 25 years. They then owned and operated Smitty’s Shoe Repair in Marion, where they celebrated 25 years on Rich’s 70th birthday. Rich enjoyed serving the people and community in which he lived. He donated much of his time to local Fire Departments, by sewing modifications into their uniforms. Building on his high school years, Rich took an active participation in local wrestling, spending 25 years as a wrestling official. He was a member of the Tipton Optimist Club, in which he also served as past president. Rich will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Rich is survived and lovingly remembered by his son, Scott (Linda) Foens of Marion; daughter, Lori (Craig) Barenz of Cedar Rapids; five grandchildren, Nikolas Foens, Sydnei Foens, Fayde Foens, Morgan Barenz, and Dylan Barenz; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife of 59 years, Marvel Foens; and two brothers, John Foens Jr. and Robert Foens.