Mari Culver
First Lady Mari Culver is a life-long Iowan, born in Dubuque and raised in Marion, Iowa. She is the fifth of six children
of Joanne Thinnes and the late Judge William Thinnes. Mari graduated from Regis High School in Cedar Rapids. She earned
her B.A. and J.D. degrees from the University of Iowa.
Mari is a founding member of the law firm of Duncan, Green, Brown and Langeness, P.C. in Des Moines, where she has practiced law for the last 14 years. Since the birth of her children, Mari has worked on a part-time basis.
As First Lady of Iowa, Mari is using her role to raise public awareness for the organizations that provide shelter and other critical support services for women and at risk youth. She is a strong advocate for Iowans in need of shelter services and has put a public face on women and children that are often forgotten.
Mari and Chet Culver have been married for 14 years and are the proud parents of two children, Clare and John.
Learn more about First Lady Mari Culver's Shelter Spring Cleaning project.