Marsha Nanette Bax, age 76, of Johnston, Iowa, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Okoboji, Iowa.
Visitation and memorial services were held on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Urbandale, Iowa.
Marsha Bax, or “Mya” as she was often called, was born on May 23, 1950, in Albert Lea, Minnesota, to Joseph and Dorothy Honsey of Lake Mills, Iowa. She was the third of six children.
Marsha was baptized soon after her birth. She grew up attending country school at Lime Creek Lutheran Church north of Lake Mills. Marsha graduated from Lake Mills High School in 1968 and later from Albert Lea Vocational-Technical Institute.
On August 25, 1984, she was united in marriage to Phillip Bax in Albert Lea, Minnesota. After their marriage, she served as secretary at their church in Humboldt, Iowa, and later in Spencer, Iowa. She also worked in medical records in Spencer.
After moving to Johnston, Iowa, Marsha worked for Mercy Clinics until her retirement.
Marsha enjoyed many travels through the years with her husband, Phil. She especially loved experiencing new places, visiting with friends on Pioneer trips, and making new friends wherever she went. “Grandma Gums” or “Nana,” as the littles called her, loved to spoil her six grandchildren. She truly cherished her time with them and never shied away from joining in whatever adventures their imaginations could create.
Of all the places she saw, Okoboji was her favorite. Her summers were spent entertaining family and friends and enjoying time on the water, whether cruising along the shore or fishing for the biggest catch—especially since she didn’t have to bait her own hook or remove her catch. She was recognized as an Iowa Master Angler for one of her trophy fish. She loved learning about other people’s lives, going to live music events, binge-watching new series, and playing Mexican Train Dominoes with anyone willing to play—and she had quite a winning streak going.
She is survived by her biggest catch, Phil Bax; her children, Ryan Chamberlin of Des Moines, Iowa; Chris Chamberlin (Sarah) of Le Claire, Iowa; and Sarah Fischer (Peter) of Waukee, Iowa; her grandchildren, Chloe, Bella, Johnny, Halle, Archer, and Banks; her siblings, Ronald Honsey (Cheryll), Gary Honsey (Marsha), Dennis Honsey (Andrea), and Dawn Honsey; her brother-in-law, Brad Bax (Kaye); and her brother-in-law, Marti Aparicio. She is also survived by several special nieces, nephews, extended relatives, and friends.
Marsha was preceded in death by her first husband, William Chamberlin; her parents; her in-laws, Cliff and Phyllis Bax; and her sister, Doreen Aparicio.
Memorials may be directed to the Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) Food Pantry Network in memory of Marsha Bax.