Margery A Thoelke

Margery A. “Marge” Thoelke, 85, of Forest City died Thursday, October 9, 2014 at the Hancock Memorial Hospital in Britt. Memorial services will be held 2:00 P.M. Monday October 13, 2014 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest City with Rev. Rod Hopp officiating. A gathering of family and friends will be one hour prior to the services at the church. Private family inurnment will be held at a later date in George, Iowa. The family requests that in lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Immanuel Lutheran Church.

Margery Anne (Rossow) Thoelke was born June 25, 1929 in Fergus Falls, Minnesota to Rudolph and Ida (Burmeister) Rossow. Marge married Duane Thoelke in George, Iowa on July 2, 1950. They had two daughters, Elisabeth (Channing) Grimsbo and Jane Thoelke who died shortly after birth.

Marge was the youngest of three daughters. She lived in Foxhome, Minnesota until 1934 when her family moved to George, Iowa where she graduated from high school in 1947. She received a two year teaching certificate from the University of Northern Iowa. She taught in Sanborn, Iowa for one year and a country school near George for two years. After marrying Duane, she helped him run their business, the White Shop Restaurant, in George for eight years. In 1966, Marge and Duane moved to Forest City, Iowa, where Marge was a homemaker and loving wife and mother.
Marge was an active member of her church, serving in various roles such as Sunday School Superintendent and was one of the first woman deacons of the church. She played bridge for many years where she made many good friends. In the last years, she especially enjoyed spending time with her granddaughter, Lydia.

Marge is survived by her husband of 64 years, Duane, her daughter Elisabeth, son- in- law Channing and grandchild Lydia. She is also survived by 8 nieces and their families.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters, Beryl and Lorlie, and her daughter, Jane.