Vada Marie Timm

VADA MARIE TIMM

MUSCATINE, Iowa – Vada Marie Timm, 91, passed away on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Lutheran Living.

Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at the Ss. Mary and Mathias Catholic Church. The Reverend Chris Weber will officiate. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at the Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home. There will be a Vigil with sharing of memories following the visitation at 6 p.m.. Memorials may be made to St. Mary’s Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at www.wittichfuneralhome.com.

Vada was born on September 6, 1934, in Muscatine, the daughter of John F. and Mary A. Gray Zybarth. She married Marvin John Timm on July 2, 1955, at St. Mathias Rectory in Muscatine. Marvin preceded her in death on April 7, 2021.

Vada graduated from Muscatine Catholic School in 1952. She worked as a bookkeeper for Henderson’s Garage for five years and then worked for Riley Funeral Home and Riley Ambulance for 27 years.

Vada was a devoted member of the Ss. Mary and Mathias Catholic Church, where her contributions were both varied and impactful. She served on the board of St. Mary’s Cemetery for many years and was also a dedicated member of the Hayes Catholic School Board. Her commitment to the church extended to numerous volunteer roles, including assisting the Guild ladies with funeral lunches and providing transportation for the nuns whenever it was needed. Vada carried a strong Catholic faith from a very young age, this guided her throughout her life and shaped the way she loved and cared for others.

A talented musician, Vada shared her gifts as an organist at St. Mathias Church for Masses, funerals, and weddings, starting at the age of 14. She also frequently played the organ and piano for various functions at Hayes Catholic School. Additionally, during the years her children participated in the Suzuki Violin Program, she accompanied the students on the piano and performed as a violinist in the adult orchestra.

She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and had served at one time as their Regent. After extensive research, she discovered four ancestors who served in the American Revolution. These ancestors founded Graysville, PA, a town named after their family. She even visited their original homesteads at one point.

Additionally, she served as a monitor and tutor during study hour classes at Hayes for two years. For many years, Vada also served as the scorekeeper for the local softball program while her daughters participated.

Vada was a truly devoted sports fan who found great joy in following the Iowa Hawkeyes, the Chicago Cubs, and the Indiana Fever. However, her greatest passion was undoubtedly cheering for her grandchildren during their own sporting events, which were always the highlight of her time. She was a devoted mother and grandmother, and loved spending time with her family.

When Vada transitioned into Lutheran Living, she developed a wonderful community family with both the staff and her fellow residents.

Vada is survived by her children: Jay E. Timm and his wife, Elizabeth, of Wadsworth, OH, Jean M. Reynolds and her husband, David, of West Liberty, Julie J. Ravenscraft and her husband, Sam, of Muscatine, Janis L. Paulson and her husband, Mark, of Port St. Lucie, FL, and Jillaine D. Strong and her husband, David, of Muscatine; grandchildren Shelby Timm, Lauren Polkabla and husband, Colby, Kate Reynolds and her husband, Matt Cornett, Kelsey DeCasas and her husband, Dane, Shawn Ravenscraft and his wife, Ashley, Aaron Ravenscraft and his wife, Brittany, Amanda Clewell and her husband, Alex, Leigha Parker and her fiancé, Josh Steckman, Alex Strong and his wife, Melanie, and Adalene Strong and her fiancé, Kevin Brockert; granddaughter-in-law, Laura Whitehall; great grandchildren, Wesley, Ruby, and Nathan DeCasas, Ethan, Evan, and Emmett Cornett, Devon and Tyler Hill, Kaitlynn, Jayson, Mason, and Hank Whitehall, Camden and Blakely Ravenscraft, Teagan Hamilton, Tate and Tucker Ravenscraft, Presley Parker, Jax Steckman, Asher, Callen, and Bishop Strong, Sage and Marvin Clewell.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband; son Marvin J. ‘Johnny’ Timm in 1970; brother Marvin J. Zybarth in 2018; and her grandson, Jayme Whitehall in 2022.

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