Margaret Morgan

MARGARET MORGAN

Coralville

Margaret B. Morgan, 90, passed away peacefully Tuesday, June 23, 2015, at Windmill Manor in Coralville. Memorial services will be 10 a.m. Saturday, June 27, at First United Methodist Church in Iowa City, with the

Rev. Dr. Barrie Tritle officiating. Visitation will be Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service, 605 Kirkwood Ave., Iowa City. A private family burial will be at Oakland Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to the restoration of the historical Ranshaw House in North Liberty, Margaret's childhood home.

Margaret Burdick Morgan was born in Iowa City on Oct. 12, 1924, the daughter of Lyman and Emma Burdick. In 1936, the Burdick family moved to the Ranshaw House in North Liberty.

Margaret married Lloyd Rinehart on Sept. 10, 1944, at First Methodist Church in Iowa City. They moved to a farm near North Liberty. Margaret's family in North Liberty included her husband, Lloyd, and her two sons, Charles (Chuck) Rinehart and Melvin (Mel) Rinehart. While living in North Liberty, she belonged to the North Liberty Methodist Church and the Whip-poor-will club. Margaret and Lloyd were later divorced.

Margaret married Owen Morgan on Dec. 18, 1976, at First United Methodist Church in Iowa City. Margaret and Owen began their life together in Coralville and lived there until Owen's death in 2004.

Margaret had a gift of leadership and brought her love of community service to Coralville. She started many projects to make her community a better place to live. In 1983, Margaret and Owen lined their driveway and cul-de-sac with luminaries and began Coralville's "Aisle of Light" tradition. One of Margaret and Owen's greatest joys was dressing up as Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus and handing candy canes to families viewing the luminaries. They said, "Nothing is more gratifying than seeing the kid's eyes light up! Even in 10-degree temperatures, we loved it."

Also in 1983, while serving on the board of directors for the Johnson County Historical Museum, she organized and founded Coralville's Fourth of July parade. The parade began as part of the dedication to the restored museum and continues to be a Coralville tradition. In 2001, the City of Coralville honored Margaret by recognizing her "Outstanding Service to the Community of Coralville." In 2011, the Coralville City Council asked Margaret to write a book on the history of the parade, which was completed and published in 2012. Margaret received a Certificate of Commendation from the Iowa City Chamber of Commerce for her work as the chairperson for the July 4 parade. The adjutant general of the Iowa Army National Guard recognized her for "organizing Coralville's Fourth of July parade and recognizing solders from Desert Storm and all the soldiers serving our country."

She was a member of the Scottish Highlanders, Zeta Tau Alpha social sorority, Girl Scouts of America, 4-H, First United Methodist Church, Methodist Church's Kappa Phi College group, Optimist Club, Iowa City Noon Lions Club, Daughters of the American Revolution, Society of New England Women, Daughters of the American Colonists, Daughters of Founders and Patriots of America, United Methodist Women and Church Circle, United Methodist Joyful Chimers, Jessamine Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, Bethlehem Shrine, White Shrine of Jerusalem, Iowa Federated Women's Club, Red Hat Club and served on the Coralville Planning and Zoning commission.

Margaret is survived by her son, Charles Rinehart; daughter-in-law, Diane (Melvin) Rinehart; her sister, Barb Evans, and Barb's children, Bob, Steve and Lori, all of California.

Preceding Margaret in death were her husband, Owen, and son, Melvin Rinehart.

To read the extended obituary or to leave condolences for the family visit www.lensing funeral.com.