HARTINGTON — Marcia C. Sudbeck, 72,Hartington, died April 15, 2025, at the Holy Spirit Retirement Home, Sioux City, Iowa, after a courageous battle with cancer. Mass of Christian Burial was April 22 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Hartington, with the Rev. Owen Korte officiating. Burial was at St. Michael’s Cemetery, Hartington. Pallbearers were Larry Koranda, Chad Claussen, Kevin Garvin, Brandon Marreel, Glenn Manning and Pat Capek. Visitation and a vigil service were Monday, at church, and continued one hour prior to services Tuesday. Arrangements were under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home, Hartington. Marcia was born Dec. 5, 1952, to Warren “Sandy” and Janice (Day) Herron. While her father died when she was a teenager, Marcia found strength in the close bond she shared with her mother and sisters, Deanna and Glenda. She graduated from Aurora High School in 1971, before moving to Lincoln, where she pursued her education at the Lincoln School of Commerce. There, she earned her medical secretary degree in 1973.

Marcia worked at various local medical clinics in Lincoln before moving to Hartington in 1976, with her then-husband, Marcel Sudbeck. She lived on a farm near Hartington and later, moved to her beloved apartment in Coleridge, where she lived for many years, before finally relocating to Sioux City, Iowa, in December 2024.

Mom worked for several local businesses in Hartington includingSudbeck Realty, Bill Yates’ State Farm agency, HTI, the Hartington Telephone Company, and the cheese plant. But it wasn’t until she started working at the Cedar County Sheriff’s Office as a dispatcher in 2003 that she truly found her calling. During her 17 years there, Marcia became an integral part of the community, known for answering countless 911 calls with her calm,reassuring voice. Her job also required her to take care of the inmates, whom she provided homemade meals and her signature motherly advice.She was immensely proud of her work as a dispatcher and earned the deep respect of her co-workers and local volunteer firefighters and EMTs. She made a lasting impact with her kindness, dedication, and unwavering sense of service. It was the best job she ever had.

There were three things Marcia cherished most in her life,her family, her faith and her music.

When asked what her greatest accomplishment in life was,Mom always answered without hesitation: “My kids.” She took immense pride in the fact that all four of us—Heather, Kristi, Nathan and Tracy—attended Catholic school and graduated from college. Mom instilled in each of usa love of learning and a passion for reading. She was silly and fun when the time was right, but also strict when she needed to be. She held each of her children to the highest of standards but also provided great comfort and care when life was hard. What her children cherished most only grew stronger when she became a grandmother. Her love for her grandkids was immeasurable, and she delighted with every moment spent with them, making sure to attend their events and be an active part of their lives. One of her greatest joys in her final months was watching her 11-year-old grandson, Tyson, play the piano. She was so proud to see her gift of music being passed on to the next generation.

Mom’s faith was the foundation of her life,shaping everything she did and inspiring everyone around her. Her faith was a central part ofher identity. For over 40 years, Mom shared her musical talent with Holy Trinity Catholic Church, playing both the piano and organ at countless weekend Masses, weddings, and funerals. She also played at St. Michael’s Church, Coleridge. Mom’s faith wasn’t just something she spoke about—it was somethingshe lived every day.

Just as her faith was a cornerstone of her life,so too was her deep love for music. There was rarely a song on the radio that Mom couldn’t sing along with. Though she could play the piano for hundreds of people packed into a church, her best performances were at home. Her gift for playing the piano and organ was unmatched—she could play for hours,filling the house with beautiful music.

Mom took two memorable trips with her daughters in her final years, exploring Yellowstone National Park, and a birthday trip to Cancun. We will cherish the memories made on these trips for the rest of our lives.

Marcia is survived by her daughters and families, Heather Marreel, her husband, Brandon, and their daughters, McKayla and Peyton, all of Sioux City, Iowa; Kristi Capek, and her son, Logan, and daughter, Alyssa, all of Crete; her son, Nathan, his wife, Jada, and their sons, Preston and Tyson, all of Elkhorn; and her youngest daughter, Tracy Manning, and husband, Glenn, Omaha; her two sisters, and brothers-in-law, Deanna and Roger Freier, Bellevue, and Glenda and Mike Allen, Aurora; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and her dearly loved house cat, Calvin.