Mary Bess Fulster

Mary Bess “Bess” Fulster, age 95, passed away peacefully early Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at Illahee Hills Independent Living Center, Urbandale, Iowa. Bess was born April 29, 1928 in Hampton, Iowa to Edwin Wheelock and Hazel Irene Wilson. She grew up in Marshalltown, Iowa, graduated from Marshalltown High School in 1946, and then worked as a bookkeeper at Fidelity Bank in Marshalltown.

On July 29, 1951, Bess married Heinz Fulster at the First Congregational Church in Marshalltown. They lived and worked on the family farm outside Gladbrook where they raised four daughters, Susan, Mary, Christine and Sharon. Bess and Heinz shared a blessed and loving marriage for 53 years until his death in 2004.

Besides having a very active role in the farming life, Bess was a member of the Peace United Church of Christ in Gladbrook. She taught Sunday School for many years, was a member of the Women's Fellowship Guild, and volunteered in the church office. Bess was also a member of the Vienna Township of Marshall County Farm Bureau and held office of chairman for several years.

Bess enjoyed reading, working on puzzles, discussing current events, and tending to her flower gardens. Most of all, she was devoted to her role as a loving homemaker.

Bess was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Dorothy, her dear husband, four brothers-in-law, and a sister-in-law.

Left to treasure her memory are two of her four sisters, Audrey Erickson, and Carol Calabrese; her four daughters, Susan Fulster, Mary Fulster, Christine Fink (John), and Sharon Divingnzzo (Dan); eight grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, and a sister-in law, Juanita Fulster.

After cremation, a private family memorial gathering to honor Bess was held with inurnment at Rose Hill Memorial Gardens in Marshalltown, Iowa.