Marian Joy (Bodeen) Crumley

Marian Joy Crumley  06/14/1932 - 12/06/2025

            Marian Joy Bodeen was born to Florence Cornelia Bodeen and Gerald Oscar Bodeen on June 14th of 1932. The happy event took place on the farm of Jack and Bertha Rugh with whom the Bodeens were living at the time. Florence's sister Bertha (Aunt Bert) acted as midwife. The farm was near Coal Valley Illinois, in Henry County.

            Marian thrived in this extended family of farmers. Growing up she was active in 4H and the rifle club at school and survived scarlet fever. She attributed the latter with the progressive loss of her hearing as an adult.

            Graduating from Galesberg High School, Marian had hoped to become a Veterinarian. The Veterinary school was not accepting women at the time, so she enrolled at the University of Iowa for their Bachelors of Science in Nursing progam. There she met her future husband, David James Crumley II.

            In June of 1954, Marian graduated with her BSN, turned 22, married her beloved Dave and started her first job as a fully fledged RN. The marriage took place on June 14th, her birthday. The job was in the polio ward of the University of Iowa Hospital. This was not long before the release of Dr. Salk's new vaccine, part of Marian's job was compiling data for Dr. Salk's research. Fortunately, polio wards became a part of history and Marian transitioned through many different facets of floor nursing in her career. Along the way she and Dave had three children. When her hearing began to fail she pivoted to nurse education at Blessing Hospital School of Nursing in Quincy, Illinois and then into management roles. She finished her career managing the extended care wing at Lower Umpqua Hospital in Reedsport.

            Upon retirement, she and Dave threw themselves into volunteer work and philanthropy. They had already been part of a public campaign to keep Lower Umpqua Hospital from being closed down. They spent many years raising funds for The Coquille Elks scholarship fund. Marian volunteered for what was then called the Women's Crisis Service. When the need for larger facilities became apparent and land was donated for the purpose, Dave and Marian spearheaded a years-long campaign to fund construction. This became Coddington Place, operated by what is now known as The SAFE Project. That last project earned them the 6th annual Lilah Bidwell Human Dignity Award 2010, awarded by the Human Rights Advocates of Coos County. Her favorite way of introducing herself to new people was, "I am a proud, card carrying, bleeding heart liberal."

            Marian was preceded in death by her husband Dave and elder sister Ruth. She is survived by her children Gerald, Asialee and James; her sisters Carol and Kathy, her sister-in-law Jan, brother-in-law Lee and many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews and their descendants as well. At Marian's request, no formal service will be held. The family will be spreading ashes at a future time.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Marian Joy (Bodeen) Crumley, please visit our floral store.